Construction Level 1

Short Description: There are hundreds of different jobs available in the construction industry. Sometimes it’s not easy to know which trade to study especially if you’ve never really experienced them before. The Construction Level 1 course will give you the opportunity to experience a range of trades such as bricklaying, carpentry, plastering, painting and decorating As a construction operative, you may work in one or more of the following areas: · Measuring the work area and setting out · Shaping and trimming bricks using hammers · Checking that courses are straight using water or laser spirit levels · dry lining - fixing internal plasterboard or wallboard partitions by fastening them together on a timber or metal frame ready for decorating. · filling holes and cracks and making sure surfaces are level · preparing surfaces with primer and undercoat · mixing paint to the right shade, either by hand or using computerised colour-matching equipment · applying layers of paint and hanging wallpaper To become a construction operative, you will need to have: · good practical skills · the ability to work quickly and accurately · maths skills for calculating surface areas and volumes of materials · a reasonable level of fitness · the ability to work as part of a team · an awareness of health and safety issues. Salary range: £8,000 - £24,000+ Average hours per week: 40

Steel toe capped shoes/boots and sturdy clothing to protect your body will be required.

There are no mandatory academic requirements to start a career as a construction operative.

Upon successfully completing your Level 1 qualification you will be able to gain further skills by completing a level 2 qualification in your chosen trade. You may seek an apprenticeship with an employer or choose to continue on to a higher level qualification.

Gloucestershire College construction student Sophie Smith from Hucclecote, is currently employed at Stroud District Council as a building control technician. 21 year old Sophie began her career in the industry aged 18; after completing A Levels she started work as an apprentice with Gloucester City Council before progressing into her current role. “As a building control technician I work on the planning and construction phases of a building and am involved in projects ranging in size from a small domestic extension to a large city centre development”.

Please contact the College on 0845 155 2020 for further details