female carpeting student standing in workshop

Construction

We build confidence

Construction

CONSTRUCTION COURSES FOR 16-19 YEAR OLDS

The South West’s construction industry annual recruitment requirement of 2.6% per year, is the strongest across the UK and means an extra 32,000 new workers are needed between the end of 2020 and 2025.

Our outstanding range of courses are taught by experienced professionals in high-quality facilities, and provide qualifications that are recognised across the industry.

Use this page to discover your perfect career and associated course options - Vocational qualifications (full-time in the campus workshops) or Apprenticeships in the workplace.

As a Weston College student you will become part of our exciting new Construction Career Excellence Hub. Your study programme will have lots of career boosting benefits, all with the aim of giving you the opportunity to become career ready! This includes unrivalled exposure to employers, enhanced work experience, employer visits and more...
Our Construction Career Excellence Hub endorsers include:

Find out more

Job Roles in the West of England Currently Include:

WHAT OUR PARTNERS SAY...

We’re delighted to be involved with the Construction Career Excellence Hub. It gives learners the chance to hear from and speak to industry professionals and hear what it is really like to have a career within the construction industry. They can see the breadth of careers our industry has to offer.

Danielle Haskings

Social Value Manager, Wilmott Dixon

The Construction Career Excellence Hub presents an exciting opportunity for us to invest in local talent and develop learners who could become the future leaders in our business.
Weston College is the perfect location for people to develop their construction skills, and we are thrilled to play a role in your development and offer further assistance on your journey into our industry.

David Bowdley

Operations Director, Galliford Try

OUR CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS

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Industry Facts

A career in construction can involve all kinds of settings and skills. It could range from working on building sites for new builds, to renovations, to creating beautifully crafted furniture. Led by experienced professionals, with great links with local employers to help launch your career, our courses are designed to give you the skills that will prepare you for employment.

Over 53,000 construction companies in the South West

Electrical professionals can earn up to £45,000 a year

Over 11,000 building projects across the South West

Over 2.7 million employees in the construction industry in the UK

Facilities

The South West Skills Campus offers state-of-the-art training facilities dedicated to construction training.

Facilities

The South West Skills Campus offers state-of-the-art training facilities dedicated to construction training.
These include:

Large, well-equipped training workshops for each trade area.
Excellent links with national and local employers to enrich your training.
Industry-standard materials testing lab.
Excellent array of tools and equipment, ranging from power tools to digital surveying equipment.
Carpentry woodworking machine shop, with industry approved machinery.
Suites of computers with 3D software such as AutoCad.

Renewable technologies such as biomass and ground- source heat pumps.
Outdoor working arena.
Fast, free and secure WiFi connection.
Specialised software packages for individual subjects.
A well-resourced library including e-resources and laptop loan service.
Access to a large number of high specification PCs, laptops, and digital hardware.

LATEST NEWS

26 Jan 2024

Learners stocking food onto trolleys in a warehouse

Our T level Design, Surveying and Planning in Construction students provided their assistance to the Foodbank Warehouse in Beaufighter Road, Weston-Super-Mare.On the 10th of January, the learners began their exciting day with an introduction from Lucy, the Foodbank Warehouse manager. She explained their struggle in the movement of food products around the warehouse and explained how they could use the students help. This meant that the students were fortunate enough to get involved in a real-life project to solve the foodbanks problem!After being split into three groups and being assigned a task, the students carried out a detailed measurement survey of the entire warehouse – this included the ground floor, welfare and office areas and the first-floor mezzanine structure. Lucy then provided them with her project requirements which involved the budget.After a day of exciting events, the students returned to the Weson College classroom and eagerly began using a Computer Aided Design software called Revitt. This specialist software enabled the students to draw out the warehouse’s layout, they even had an option of various re-designs which would be costed up!The T Level learners are eager to meet up again with Lucy to submit their very own designs to her and receive feedback to work upon!A huge thank you to Lucy and the team at the Foodbank Warehouse for giving our students the opportunity to work on such a fantastic project!This project forms part of the subject Careers Excellence Hub; Weston College is committed to preparing learners for success in a rapidly evolving job market which is reflected in our offer via our bespoke Career Excellence Hubs, which form an integral part of all college programmes. In a world where professional networks and industry-specific skills are integral to landing employment, these hubs provide a unique solution to bridge the gap between education and industry demands.If you're interested in finding out more about our T Level Construction courses, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… here</a>

T Level Students Visit a Foodbank Warehouse

26 Sep 2023

T Level learners visiting Ashcombe School Construction site

Last week twelve first year T Level learners, studying Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction, went on a site visit to the Ashcombe Primary School Construction project, which is being built by John Perkins Construction Limited.

Before entering the site, learners were issued with all the correct Personal Protective Equipment and given a Health and Safety Site Induction by Richard Mann, the Site Manager for John Perkins Construction.

Once ready to enter the site, learners were then treated to a comprehensive site tour from Richard, which included visiting the new classrooms, reception area, school hall and other back-up facilities.

Throughout the tour Richard explained what materials were used and methods of construction. It was a fantastic interactive session, where learners asked multiple questions, allowing them to delve deeper into the techniques used, in more detail.

At the end of the tour, Richard kindly offered to host the T Level learners on site again in Spring next year, to see the progress on the build and experience the internal fit-out works of the project.

Daniel Comerford, Lecturer in Construction Professions at Weston College, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone that made our recent possible – our learners found the site visit extremely beneficial.

“On the back of the visit, learners are writing up a technical report, which includes items such as health and safety, timber frames and foundation details.

“We look forward to working closely with John Perkins Construction Limited over the coming academic year.”

This employer project forms part of the subject <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Careers Excellence Hub</a>; Weston College is committed to preparing learners for success in a rapidly evolving job market which is reflected in our offer via our bespoke Career Excellence Hubs, which form an integral part of all college programmes. In a world where professional networks and industry-specific skills are integral to landing employment, these hubs provide a unique solution to bridge the gap between education and industry demands.

T Level Learners Visit Ashcombe Primary School

5 Jul 2023

Mayor and Head of Construction with learners on Welcome Day

The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor Ciaran Cronnelly, visited South West Skills Campus this morning to greet and give well wishes to the brand-new learners in for their Welcome Day!

His presence at the college symbolised the town's commitment to fostering a vibrant and supportive educational environment for its students.

The Welcome Day gave the new learners the opportunity to meet their classmates, their teachers, and see the facilities ahead of their start date in September. Subject areas including Engineering, Motor Vehicle, Construction and more held a series of activities for the learners, to engage them in the topics and give a taste of what’s to come.

Following a short introduction from Richard Hanney, the Head of Construction, the Mayor spoke to the learners about the opportunities that lie ahead while studying at Weston College, the benefits of working in the Construction, Engineering or Motor Vehicle industry, and how he got to where he is now since his college days.

He was then given a tour of the fantastic facilities throughout South West Skills Campus, and immersed himself in the activities taking place, engaging with the learners as he made his way round the campus.

Richard Hanney told us after: “We were so grateful the Mayor could take the time out of his busy schedule to visit us on Welcome Day. His words were very inspiring, and his presence was very much appreciated on such an important day. We look forward to seeing the learners begin their courses in September, and having the Mayor at the college again in the future!”

Mayor Visits South West Skills for Welcome Day!