Level 1 Award in Bricklaying

Required qualifications

For this qualification applicants will need a grade 2 (or equivalent) in Maths and English.

Applicants who hold an entry programme i.e. city and guilds 6219 applications will be considered on an individual basis.

What skills will I develop?

As a Bricklaying student you will develop practical skills with underpinning knowledge in a variety of topics. You can expect to study the following units:

• Health, safety and welfare in construction
• Introduction to construction industry
• Carrying out block-laying activities
• Carrying out bricklaying activities
• Carrying out cavity walling activities

Careers

Successful completion of this qualification will give opportunity to apply for the full level 1 Diploma in Bricklaying and where suitable could progress to level 2 qualification.

If you gain employment within the industry, you could become an apprentice. The skills you have gained on the Level 1 and at 2 Diploma will benefit you if you choose the apprenticeship route.

If progress onto a level 3 you can then progress into higher education in the following areas of construction

• Construction Management
• Civil Engineering
• Site Supervision programme (CIOB)
• Foundation Degree Historic Building Conservation
• Heritage NVQ Level 3
• Construction Level 4

As a South Staffordshire student, you will be offered a balanced, high quality study programme to open your options and give you the best chance of progression into further training opportunities or lasting employment.

Work experience

Preparing you for the working world is very important to us, so that you may be successful in your next step.

Work experience placements provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills, gain a better understanding of the industry you want to work in, and give you an insight into what it is like to be employed. They can also be great fun and very rewarding, and you may even be offered a great reference, a part-time job, holiday working hours, apprenticeships, or full-time jobs.

Once you start your course, you will be provided with further information about work experience programmes, but it is never too early to start thinking about work experience placements and finding an employer who will offer you an opportunity.

Work experience is an opportunity for you to gain experience in your chosen career path and develop relevant skills. Equally, it helps you acquire employability skills, attitudes, and behaviours that are essential for future employment. There will be an opportunity for you to reflect on your performance during work experience, and you will receive some form of reference or feedback from the employer.

The college will support you with work experience, but we encourage you to find your own placements that match your career plans, are accessible for you, and can work around your time at college.

English and maths

In construction, having solid maths and English skills is super important. Whether you’re measuring materials, reading plans, or chatting with clients and coworkers, these skills are key to getting the job done right.

At South Staffordshire College, we get how crucial these skills are. While you’re with us, you’ll have the chance to boost your maths and English by studying at GCSE or Functional Skill level. Our awesome team works with your main course tutors to help you improve.

Good maths skills mean you can measure accurately, estimate costs, and plan projects well. This ensures everything runs smoothly and safely. Strong English skills help you communicate clearly, whether you’re writing reports, understanding documents, or discussing plans. Good communication helps avoid mistakes and keeps projects on track.

Improving your maths and English not only makes you better at your job but also boosts your chances of getting hired and moving up in your career. Employers in construction really value these skills because they lead to better performance and the ability to handle more complex tasks.

At South Staffordshire College, we offer a supportive environment to help you develop these essential skills. Our team is here to help you succeed, providing the support and resources you need. By investing in your maths and English, you’re setting yourself up for a successful career in construction.

Other important information

To ensure you’re fully prepared for your course, there are a few essential items you’ll need to purchase:

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
• Toe-protective footwear: Safety first! Make sure you have sturdy footwear to protect your feet.
• Hi-visibility vest: The required colour will be specified by your instructors.

2. Stationery:
• Pens and pencils: Both for drawing and workshop use.
• Notepads and a folder: For storing your notes and keeping everything organized.
• Steel ruler and scale ruler: Essential for precise measurements.
• Geometry set: To help with technical drawings and measurements.

3. Basic Hand Tools:
• Staff will identify and recommend the specific tools you should purchase. This helps the tools adapt to your way of working and teaches you the importance of cleaning, maintaining, and preparing them properly.

We understand that purchasing these items can be a financial burden. That’s why we offer a bursary scheme to support you. You can apply for this bursary, and a member of our team will be happy to assist you with the application process. Please note that staff cannot advise on the likelihood of your application being successful, as all applications are assessed and reviewed by a separate team.

Having these items will help you stay safe and organised and ensure you’re ready to tackle all aspects of your course. If you have any questions about the required items or the bursary scheme, feel free to ask your instructors for more details.