BTEC Construction

What will I study?

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment

Course Content

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.

The unit content ensures that the teacher can focus on the key learning required to introduce technician-level theoretical principles, and enables further vocational study at Level 3 and beyond.

It will introduce learners to personal responsibilities for health, safety and welfare, the industry and legislative requirements for health and safety, and the application of organisational processes and risk management to ensure compliance.

The maths, science and materials skills learned will give learners the fundamental knowledge needed to enable them to apply skills in a context used within the sector and progress to

Further study.

While the qualification has a strong focus on theoretical principles, the content is focused on the practical applications of the principles underpinning construction design, structural requirements and technology as applied in today’s industry. Learners will be required to engage with sector employers as part of the course

Progression

This qualification will prepare learners for direct employment in the construction and built environment sector, either as an apprentice or as part of other formal work-based learning.

Job roles include:

• apprentice construction project technician

• apprentice mechanical/electrical services technician

• apprentice construction design technician.

If successful, learners may use the foundation knowledge in this qualification to embark on further study, for example the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Construction and the Built

Environment.

In addition to the construction sector-specific content outlined above, the requirements of the qualification mean that learners will develop the transferable and higher-order skills that are highly regarded by higher education and employers, for example communication skills and teamwork.

The qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to admission requirements to many relevant construction courses. When combined with other qualifications within a study programme, such as two A Levels or an AS/A Level and another BTEC National Extended Certificate, such as maths, science or art and design, learners can progress to higher education or to other areas of construction, such as architecture.

Degree programmes that learners could progress to include:

• BSc (Hons) in Construction Management

• BSc (Hons) in Property Management (Building Surveying)

• BSc (Hons) in Architecture

• BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering

• HNC/D in Civil Engineering

• HNC/D in Building Services Engineering

• HND in Construction and the Built Environment.

What the students say?

"Learning about Construction and the Built Environment gives me an insight into the Managerial side of the Construction industry. My goal is to be an Architect and I know this course will help me achieve it. Teaching is supportive and Mr Worrilow makes lessons easy to understand". Tori Leigh Speak Yr12 .