CONSTRUCTION

Welcome to Construction

Studying construction at Petroc provides a fantastic range of opportunities and skills that will give you access to an ever-changing and innovative industry. You will develop your hands-on, technical and practical skills using cutting edge machinery and technology.

The teaching methods used by our experienced and knowledgeable teaching teams will also support and guide you, to enable you to achieve at the highest levels. Many Petroc students go on to compete in national skill competitions and have become regional finalists in bricklaying as well as successes in furniture making, including the Medal of Excellence from City and Guilds. Decorative occupations have also been recognised at a national level including Trade Painters of the Year.

Watch this video from our Head of Construction & Architecture, Neil Hookway to hear all about the courses on offer at Petroc.

Join us LIVE for our Vocational Study Programmes Q&A - CLICK HERE

Before you hear from our lecturers and take a look through the course content, why not hear what our students say!

Oliver, Furniture Making Advanced Apprenticeship

"I started my journey at Petroc as a Level 1 Furniture Making Apprentice and progressed to Level 3, developing my skills both at college and in my place of work at The Pine Centre in Bideford.

I started at college knowing a small amount and did not think I was really that good at it. As I progressed, I learnt new skills and bit about the trade. It increased my confidence and I realised I was quite good at it!”

Oliver won a prestigious Medal For Excellence Award after he designed and built an impressive cabinet unit for his final exam piece.

The Medal For Excellence Awards recognise the achievements of learners who produce great results through exceptional work, showing a true journey of progression through their qualification.

“Oliver has a genuine passion for the subject,” said Patrick Broome, Construction Curriculum Team Leader. “By his own admission, he lives and breathes furniture design and producing high-end quality products. He is a true representative of what we strive for in all our students at college.”


Tobias, Construction & the Built Environment and Construction Contracting

"I decided to study at Petroc as it was close location to both my work and home which made it easy to balance my social life and study time.

I had previously considered this course, however went with a different option which did not work out. I managed to find an apprenticeship with a local company that supported me during my studies.

Doing the NVQ and BTEC together allowed me to work and apply my knowledge while also improving my understanding of the construction industry.

There was a good mix of classroom based lessons and more practical lessons outside the classroom where we could practise the technique rather than just learn the theory.

We went on several site visits which helped to improve our understanding of the construction industry.

The support and advice form my lecturers would always be encouraging and made them feel very easy to talk to."

Construction at Petroc

We offer the following study programmes in Construction:

  • Vocational Qualification

  • Apprenticeships

Take a look at the different courses we offer:

Carpentry

Apprenticeships

Advanced Carpentry & Joinery (Architectural Joiner)

Produce complex building components by setting out, marking out and manufacturing bespoke architectural products (e.g. doors, windows, staircases with turns and panelling/cladding). The main differences between a Level 2 architectural joiner, and a Level 3 advanced architectural joiner are that the advanced joiner has responsibility for managing their own and other people’s work, as well as being required to complete complex and non-standard work. Examples of complex tasks include curved products, irregular joints and bespoke work.

Advanced Carpentry & Joinery (Site Carpentry)

Prepare and install complex and often bespoke building components e.g. high quality doors, shaped linings, staircases with turns, complex wall and floor units, erecting bespoke structural carpentry (inclined roofs and joists) and erecting complex roof structures (e.g. inclined roofs with hips, valleys and dormers). The main differences between a Level 2 site carpenter, and a Level 3 advanced site carpenter are that the advanced site carpenter has responsibility for managing their own and other people’s work, as well as being required to complete complex and non-standard work. Examples of complex tasks include curved products, irregular joints and bespoke work.

Carpentry & Joinery (Architectural Joiner)

During this apprenticeship you will learn how to produce timber based building components and other architectural products, such as doors, windows, units and staircases, for use on construction sites.

Carpentry and Joinery (Site Carpentry)

Learn how to prepare and fix building components - on a building site, or in domestic and commercial premises - from the initial erection of a new building, through to the installation of all necessary fixtures and fittings, as well as a range of repair and maintenance activities.

To find out more information and to APPLY visit our website:

Advanced Carpentry & Joinery (Architectural Joiner) - Apprenticeship (Standard)

Advanced Carpentry & Joinery (Site Carpentry) - Advanced Apprenticeship (Standard)

Carpentry & Joinery (Architectural Joiner) - Apprenticeship (Standard)

Carpentry and Joinery (Site Carpentry) - Apprenticeship (Standard)

Take our Virtual tour of our Carpentry workshops.

Why not let Programme Manager, Pat Broome, show you around one of our workshops

Painting and Decorating

Apprenticeships

Painter and Decorator

Painters and decorators making buildings look their best with a perfect finish. During the apprenticeship you will gain a good knowledge of paint coatings and wall coverings and understand and comply with statutory, safety and environmental requirements.

To find out more information and to APPLY visit our website:

Painter and Decorator - Apprenticeship (Standard)

Take a Virtual Tour of our Painting & Decorating workshop

What types of Painting & Decorating facilities

Take a look at some of what our students get up to!

Bricklaying and Multi-Trades

Bricklayling & Multi-trade
Plastering

Apprenticeships

Bricklayer

Bricklayers lay bricks, blocks and other types of building components in mortar to construct and repair walls, foundations, partitions, arches and other structures. The range of sites and projects that bricklayers will work on include large commercial developments, new builds in housing, alterations, extensions and restorations.

Building Services Design Technician

Learn how to produce cost effective technical and sustainable design solutions using three dimensional models, calculations, specifications, reports and drawings for systems such as renewable technologies, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, drainage, lighting, power, controls and lifts.

Plasterer

Plastering is a core function within the construction sector, particularly the house building sector and refurbishment sectors. You will learn about the different types of plaster and how to how to professionally apply plaster to walls, floors and ceilings to make buildings more robust and more aesthetic.

Site Management

A site management apprentice will look at all aspects of the construction industry, gaining a working knowledge of construction, surveying, technical drawings, design processes and the use of computer aided diagrams on the computer.

To find out more information and to APPLY visit our website:

Bricklayer - Apprenticeship (Standard)

Building Services Design Technician - Apprenticeship (Standard)

Plasterer - Apprenticeship (Standard)

Site Management - Apprenticeship (Standard)

Take a Virtual Tour of our Trade workshop