WJEC Level 1/2 Award - Constructing the Built Environment

WJEC Level 1/2 Award in Constructing The Built Environment

WJEC Level 1/2 Awards in Constructing the Built Environment offer a learning experience that focuses learning for 14-19 year olds through applied learning i.e. acquiring and applying knowledge, skills and understanding through purposeful tasks set in sector or subject contexts that have many of the characteristics of real work.

Each qualification is built from discrete units, but allows for both synoptic learning and assessment. Each unit has an applied purpose which acts as a focus for the learning in the unit. The applied purpose is the vehicle through which the learning contained in the unit is made relevant and purposeful. It is also the means by which learners are enthused, engaged and motivated to study how buildings are constructed. The applied purpose provides the opportunity for authentic work related learning, but more than this, it will require learners to consider how the use and application of their learning impacts on individuals, employers, society and the environment. The applied purpose will also enable learners to learn in such a way that they develop:

● Skills required for independent learning and development;

● A range of generic and transferable skills;

● The ability to solve problems;

● The skills project based research, development and presentation;

● The fundamental ability to work alongside other professionals, in a professional environment;

● The ability to apply learning in vocational contexts.

There is no specific requirement for prior learning with this specification. The qualification has been designed to build skills, knowledge and understanding acquired at Key Stage 3, particularly skills related to literacy, numeracy, problem solving and enterprise.

WJEC Level 1/2 Awards in Constructing the Built Environment have been designed to develop in learners the skills needed for progression from Key Stage 4 and GCSE learning to further education, employment and training.

The successful completion of this qualification, together with other equivalent qualifications, such as in maths and the sciences, could provide the learner with opportunities to access a range of qualifications including GCE, apprenticeships, vocationally related and occupational qualifications. These include:

● Level 3 Extended Project;

● Level 3 qualifications in construction, such as Diplomas in Construction and the Built Environment;

● Level 2 qualifications in construction, including specialist areas such as plumbing, bricklaying and carpentry;

● Apprenticeships in construction.

Equally, the skills and understanding developed, including Essential Skills (Wales), Functional Skills, Key Skills and Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS), are relevant to any qualification at Level 3, whether ‘General’ or ‘Vocational’.

Each unit in this qualification has been allocated a number of Guided Learning Hours (GLH). This is the number of guided learning hours that WJEC expects the centre to provide to support learners to achieve a unit. Guided learning means activities such as classroom – based learning, tutorials and online learning, which is directly supervised by a teacher, tutor or invigilator. It also includes all forms of assessment which take place under the immediate guidance or supervision of a teacher, supervisor or invigilator.

The total number of GLH assigned to this qualification is 120 hours.

Unit 1: Safety and security in construction will be externally assessed. Details of the external assessment are as follows: (25%)

● 60 minute examination;

● Total of 60 marks;

● Online assessment;

● Short and extended answer questions, based on stimulus material and applied contexts;

● Each question will have an applied problem solving scenario;

● Each paper will assess all learning outcomes. Assessment criteria will be sampled inn each series;

● Available in June of each year;

● Learners are allowed one re-sit opportunity. The highest grade will contribute towards the overall grade for the qualification;

● WJEC will produce a mark scheme which will be used as the basis for marking the examination papers;

● Graded Level 1 Pass, Level 2 Pass, Level 2 Merit and Level 2 Distinction.

The following units are internally assessed:

Unit 2: Practical construction skills – (50%)

Unit 3: Planning construction projects – (25%)

Due to the practical nature of the subject pupils will be expected to wear appropriate PPE (safety boots and overalls), these will need to be purchased independently at a cost of approximately £30. Pupils will not be able to participate in practicals without the correct PPE.