The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with employers and professional bodies to ensure that it is appropriate for those interested in working in the sector. In addition, higher education representatives have been involved to ensure that it fully supports entry to the relevant range of specialist degrees.

There are four mandatory units, which cover the following aspects of construction:

• construction principles

• construction design

• health and safety in construction

• construction technology.

This Extended Certificate (360 GLH) Guided Learning hours, is for learners who are interested in learning about the construction sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in construction-related subjects. It is designed to be taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.

This qualification is equivalent in size to one A Level. 4 units of which 4 are mandatory and 2 are external. Mandatory content (100%). External assessment (66%). Internally assessed (33%)

AS Areas of Study

Unit 2 Construction Design    120 GLH          

Mandatory and Synoptic paper which is externally assessed. The supervised assessment is 12 hours taken in a two-week period timetabled by Pearson.

Unit 4 Construction Technology     60 GLH              

Mandatory Internal assignment based unit, which is delivered and assessed throughout the first year of study

A2 Areas of Study

Unit 1 Construction Principles 120 GLH          

Mandatory Externally assessed 1 ½ hour examination

Unit 5    Health and Safety in Construction         60 GLH 

Mandatory Internal assignment based unit, which is delivered and assessed throughout the second year of study

These of some of the following careers that students might want to explore further if they choose Construction; Architecture, Architectural Technology, Building Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Planning and Property Development, Quantity Surveying, Transport and Logistics, Building Control.