Wood Occupations (Site Carpentry)

Practical carpentry and joinery skills are in high demand and our hands-on CSkills woodworking course at City College Plymouth will develop your basic skills further. We will expand and improve your planning, managing and organising skills, and show you how to avoid work-related accidents and unnecessary risks. You will learn how to get along with many different people in different situations, particularly when under pressure and working to deadlines.

The main subjects covered include:

• carrying out safe working practices
• information, quantities and communicating with others
• building methods and construction technology
• carrying out first fixing operations
• carrying out second fixing operations
• erecting structural carcassing
• carrying out maintenance
• setting up and operating a circular saw.

Your individualised study programme will be made up of the following four areas:

• the qualification you are studying
• English and maths
• work experience
• other activities to develop your personal skills e.g. preparing you for employment, training or higher/further education.

In our experience in order to be successful on this level of course you will need one of the following:

• four GCSEs at grades 3-1 (D-F), including English and maths
• a BTEC foundation diploma in a related subject
• an NVQ level 1 / technical certificate in a related subject
• successful completion of the Gateway / Newstart course
• successful completion of the PLP / Prince’s Trust course
• equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience.

You will be continually assessed to the industrial standards set by the lead body, Construction Skills, and sit an external end of course exam.

On successful completion you may progress to the Level 3 Diploma in Wood Occupations at the College, an Apprenticeship in the sector, or employment as a fully qualified carpenter or joiner to increase your site experience.