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Free Level 1 Construction Skills Course in Croydon

CostFREE
Duration34 weeks
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 1 Construction Skills Course in Croydon. Classes run at John Ruskin College, full-time over 34 weeks.

The course covers three core trades: site carpentry, bricklaying, and plumbing. You'll also study health and safety, building methods, painting and decorating, and wood trade repairs. Units explore how these trades connect and work together on a construction site.

You'll need four GCSEs at grade 2 or above, including English and Maths, though the college considers applications case by case. You'll finish with a City and Guilds Certificate in Construction Skills.

Who this course is for

16 or 16+

What you will learn

  • You'll practise safe working practices and health and safety on site.
  • You'll develop skills in site carpentry, including wood trade repairs.
  • You'll learn the basics of bricklaying and building methods.
  • You'll gain an introduction to plumbing and how it connects with other trades.
  • You'll study small-scale painting, decorating, and associated trade repairs.
  • You'll learn how to read information, estimate quantities, and communicate with others on site.
  • You'll understand how different construction trades interact with one another.

How you will learn

You'll learn through practical workshops and classroom sessions at John Ruskin College. You'll work across carpentry, bricklaying, and plumbing workshops, building hands-on skills alongside underpinning knowledge. Assessment is through a combination of practical tasks and written work covering the units in the course.

What you will need to bring

You'll need to wear the college uniform and steel toe-capped boots at all times in the workshops. Bring stationery including a notepad, pens, pencils, and a geometry set. John Ruskin College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Construction operative, works across a range of tasks on building sites.
  • Labourer, supports tradespeople and keeps sites running smoothly.
  • Painting and decorating assistant, carries out basic decorating work.
  • Carpentry assistant, supports carpenters on residential and commercial projects.
  • Bricklaying assistant, helps lay bricks and blocks under supervision.

What you could study next

  • Level 2 Diploma in Site Carpentry, the next step if you want to specialise in carpentry and work toward a CSCS skilled-worker card.
  • Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying, for those who want to focus on bricklaying trades.
  • Maintenance Operations Level 2 Diploma, a broader route covering a range of building maintenance skills.
  • Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing, for those interested in developing plumbing skills further.
Apply on johnruskin.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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