Apprenticeship Programmes in Construction

Information for Employers

Employers have an enhanced role in the delivery of the new apprenticeship suite of qualifications in the construction and building service engineering sector.

Your role

  • You will work with and support learners throughout their apprenticeship
  • Attend an initial meeting with the training provider to identify the range of tasks required to meet industry competency statements, work-based project and completion of ‘Form A Employer Confirmation’ and ‘Form B Employer Checklist’
  • Provide opportunities for the learner to carry out the activities outlined within the occupational competency statements set by industry
  • Meet with training providers to review and record the learner’s progress throughout their apprenticeship
  • Support the learner in gathering evidence to confirm proficiency in the activities that they carried out
  • In limited circumstances simulated activities can be arranged on-site/in the workplace by the employer to gather evidence
  • Support the learner in documenting their evidence, e.g. through a journal or diary
  • Confirm when the learner has met the required standard for the trade and is ready to progress to their final assessment (the professional discussion), confirmed by completing ‘Form A Employer Confirmation’ and ‘Form B Employer Checklist’
  • Support the learner in applying for their relevant industry competency card

Our role

  • We will work with employers to guide and support the learner throughout their journey
  • We will attend an initial meeting with the employer to identify the range of activities required to meet industry competency statements and the work-based project
  • Ensure the quality of ‘Form A Employer Confirmation’ and ‘Form B Employer Checklist’ which will allow the learner to progress onto their final assessment, the professional discussion
  • Ensure evidence gathered by all of our learners is appropriate and complete by carrying out and recording internal quality assurance sampling (confirmed by signing/dating section 3 of ‘Form A Employer Confirmation’)
  • Support the employer and learner in documenting the evidence, e.g. a journal or diary, as referenced in the occupational competency statements

Requirements of evidence

Compiling the learner’s evidence should only start once the employer is satisfied the learner is consistently working at or above the criteria set out in the occupational competence statements. That is to say they are deemed to have achieved occupational proficiency. In making this decision, the employer may take advice from the learner’s training provider. The overall decision must ultimately be made the the employer(s).

  • Learner must document their evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship
  • It must contain enough evidence, gathered within the workplace, to demonstrate the occupational competency statements
  • It will typically contain 15 pieces of evidence, and could take the format of a journal or diary
  • Evidence must be mapped against the occupational competency statements
  • Evidence sources might include (this is not a definitive list):
    – Workplace documentation, for example job cards/job sheets, check sheets/quality check records, accident records, equipment check/maintenance records
    – Annotated specifications, e.g. drawings, cutting lists, work instructions
    – Annotated photographs
    – Video clips (10mins max.) supported by clear timestamps detailing when key pieces of evidence occur
  • Evidence should not include any methods of self-reflection or self-assessment
  • Any employer contributions should focus on direct observation (e.g. witness statements) of proficiency rather than opinions
  • The evidence must be authenticated by an employer and have been recently gathered. There should be enough evidence documented to show the site based performance statements have been met
  • The evidence provided must be valid and attributable to the learner; the documented evidence must be complete. The employer’s signature on the confirmation document confirms this is the case

Information for Learners

To be eligible for our Construction Apprenticeship programmes, you will need to be:

  • Employed within the construction sector (with evidence of contract of employment)
  • Aged 16+
  • Living and working in Wales

In addition to above, applicants will need to hold one or more of the following, or equivalent qualifications, at or above level of the list below:

  • Welsh Baccalaureate National Diploma
  • Foundation Qualification in Construction and Building Services Engineering
  • Level 2 or Diploma in the Construction Trade in which the apprenticeship is to be undertaken
  • Essential Skills Wales or Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number at level 1 or above
  • GCSE grade A*-D in any two of the following: a communication subject, maths and either a science or technical-based subject
  • A*-D grade in The WJEC Built Environment GCSE
  • Level 2 Merit WJEC Level 1/2 Vocational Award in Designing the Build Environment
  • WJEC A/AS Build Environment GCE
  • Merit, Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Construction and the Built Environment

Applicants will also be required to attend a successful interview.

Health and Safety Requirements

To allow an Apprentice to start their programme, we will first need to carry out the necessary Health & Safety checks, in accordance with Welsh Government Code of Practice. This means we will need to evaluate your company’s management of health, safety and welfare, to ensure learning/work is undertaken in an acceptable environment with risks managed.

We will need to see evidence of the following documentation, alongside a short site visit:

  • Adequate Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance and Public Liability Insurance
  • Evidence of any relevant maintenance records (such as PAT testing, lighting equipment service records etc.) where applicable
  • Fire precautions
  • First Aid provision
  • Health & Safety policy
  • Risk assessments including Fire and COSHH (where there are more than five employees)

The college will monitor Health & Safety to test the implementation of the employer’s Health and Safety management system throughout the Apprenticeship programme.

Programme Description

The City & Guilds level 3 apprenticeship in construction trades has been developed to allow those in work-based learning to demonstrate and enhance their occupational knowledge, skills and understanding within a construction trade of their choice.

It is aimed at learners who have either achieved the level 2 foundation in construction and building services engineering or will be completing the level 2 core in construction and building services engineering learning and assessments while on their apprenticeship

When taken as part of an apprenticeship, this qualification will enable learners to be proven as competent to enter employment in the trade of their choice as well as to go on to study other level 3 construction courses relevant to their choice of trade.

Option Choices

  • Bricklaying
  • Painting and Decorating
  • Site Carpentry
  • Solid Plastering

Programme Features

As an apprentice you will be allocated a training advisor who will oversee and support you through your journey on this framework, working closely both with your employer and tutors at college.

You will be expected to attend college to learn underpinning knowledge. Assessments will also take place in college and the workplace on a regular basis. This course is both theory and practical based.

Programme Content

Learners will develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in their chosen trade as contained in the National Occupational Standards.

Learners will also complete two core units covering the construction sector and practice in the sector within Wales. The qualification will be portable throughout the UK and is aimed to develop learners’ ability to meet the demands of the construction sector in Wales, including working with traditional, new and pre-1919 building stock and understanding new and emerging technologies, such as drones and 3D printing.

Progression and Employment

On completion, the qualification will provide learners with the skills and knowledge required for the learner to be capable of working in their chosen trade across the UK.

Method of Assessment

The different entry points on to this qualification mean the assessment routes vary.

If the learner has achieved both the foundation and progression qualifications they must successfully complete:

  • One externally-set, externally-marked multiple choice test
  • One employer-set, internally-assessed project covering their chosen trade area
  • One externally-marked professional discussion

If the learner has achieved the foundation qualification but not completed the progression qualification, they must successfully complete:

  • Two externally-set, externally-marked multiple choice tests
  • One employer-set, internally-assessed project covering their chosen trade area
  • One externally-marked professional discussion

If the learner takes this level 3 qualification as part of their apprenticeship without first achieving the foundation qualification or progression qualification, they must successfully complete:

  • Three externally-set, externally-marked multiple choice tests
  • One externally-set, internally-marked project
  • One internally-marked guided discussion
  • One employer-set, internally-assessed project covering their chosen trade area
  • One externally-marked professional discussion

Additional Costs

Students will be required to source and purchase their own personal protective equipment (PPE) which comprises of safety boots, safety glasses, hard hat and hi-vis.

You will need to provide your own stationery and there may also be additional costs if the department arranges educational visits.

Additional courses you may be interested in

Full-time Courses

Full-time courses available through the Coleg y Cymoedd core curriculum.

FE Courses

Further Education courses available through the Coleg y Cymoedd FE curriculum.

Business-Essential Training

Full and part-time courses available through Business Services. Many courses available funded.

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