Course Overview
This course will offer you an excellent foundation in carpentry and joinery and the building industry and will give you the necessary skills and knowledge to progress on to the Level 2 carpentry and joinery course. This course usually takes place over 3 days per week.
Skills gained on the course that can be transferable to other trade areas include: measuring and application of number, problem solving skills and communicating with different people within a working environment.
The Construction department regularly competes in the construction skills competition with some very promising wins and most recently a national finalist. The facilities are state of the art and the teaching staffs have a combined knowledge of nearly 50 years in the local area ranging from site and bench joinery to boat building!
Recent trips have included local builders merchants, building sites and a trip to Austria to the Felder factor. Industry professionals and experts come and give talks to the students on the ever changing face of carpentry and joinery technology. These have included Ged Maloney the technical representative from Leitz and Richard Howson the CEO of Carillion - the multinational building contractor who built the 5* hotel in the middle of the Dubai Formula 1 racecourse!
Kendal college construction department works closely with industry experts from across many sectors. We have recently hosted an employer engagement event where we had 6 national companies come and talk to local employers about their latest innovations within the industry. This benefits the students through the increased knowledge of the lecturers and the delivery of the subjects that are key for today's and tomorrow's joiners and carpenters.
The course offers a sound basic knowledge of the building industry, including:
- Health, safety and welfare in construction technical information
- Quantities and communication
- Construction technology
- Construction of basic joinery products
- Maintenance
- Use of carpentry and joinery hand tools
Practical sessions will cover basic joint construction in the form of projects, design and manufacture and industry standard practices.
Students are taught in small dynamic groups of around 10-15 learners at a time by skilled industry professionals. Learners are assessed on practical skills and these are then developed in the workshop environments. In the classroom the learner's level of ability dictates the speed and content of the lesson. We have in class assistants available to offer anyone help should they require it.
This course will be part of a wider study programme, which may also include English & Maths, work placement and additional studies.
You will be assessed by practical assessments, written assignments, oral questioning at the end of each practical assessment, multi choice unit end tests.
Some home study will be required on this course.
Continual assessment is made of both theoretical and practical work, giving the opportunity for candidates to demonstrate a range of practical competencies in the workplace (college based simulation) against industry standard.
Entry Requirements
You need to demonstrate that you are working at Entry Level 3/GCSE Level 1 (or above) in Maths and English. An interview will be required, and initial assessments/transition visits may form part of the offer process.
If you have taken an alternative educational route and wish to discuss entry to this programme, please contact the college to discuss your individual circumstances.
After Your Course
The wide variety of skills required by the construction industry means there is an interesting range of career opportunities available. You could be working in the office or outdoors, but both will mean that you are working in an environment that is always changing. Progression opportunities from Level 1 full-time would be onto a Level 2 programme within Carpentry and Joinery or a level 2 apprenticeship. Students have moved from a full time programme to go onto work with local employers such as Russell Armer Ltd, Lowther and Dawson construction and LB joinery.
Fees
£1250.00
The fee displayed is the course fee. Course fees are per year for full-time & degree-level courses and per course for part-time courses.
There may be other costs associated with this course, e.g. kit, equipment, books, trips etc. Financial support may be available to support you with these. See the Student Money pages for more information.
Courses fees
The current full-time & degree-level fee information is related to the 2023/24 academic year.
Entry Level, Level 1 & Level 2 Courses
You may qualify for financial support to cover the cost of a government-funded qualification if any of the below apply to you:
- Have an annual salary of less than £20,319.
- Receive an eligible means-tested benefit, e.g. JSA, ESA or Universal Credit.
- Are aged 16-18 on 31/08/23 and are not studying at another school/college.
- Are aged 19 or over on 31/08/23 and do not already have a Level 1, 2 or 3 qualification.
- Have a household income under £35,000 and are in financial hardship.
See the Student Money pages for more information.
