The construction sector is vital to any country for maintenance, improvement and growth of its infrastructure, buildings and engineering stock. A comprehension of institutional standards, procedures and business processes of the specialised disciplines that drive and administer the industry is relevant to anyone who wishes work for or be part of this established sector. The course provides learners with a comprehensive framework of knowledge, understanding and promotion of applied skills which are essential to this multi-disciplined sector. Studying this qualification will encourage research, investigation and analysis of the various aspects and impacts of the different construction disciplines through collaboration. This will develop transferable skills as well as an understanding of the diverse roles within the construction industry.
Content
In Years 12 and 13 the students follow the WJEC Professional Construction Practice specification. This introduces and develops the skills of planning, designing, construction, sustainability and impact on the environment as applied to the construction industry.
The course consists of 4 units:
- Design the Built Environment - an overview of the construction process from planning to final use and decommissioning. This unit will introduce the students to the industry-specific software used in the design process and allow them to determine which software package is the most appropriate to use. Internally assessed: 20 hours controlled assessment worth 20% of the qualification.
- Create the Built Environment - understand and appreciate the existing and developing processes required to construct a range of buildings, including the use of project management and quality assurance. Consideration is also given to job roles within the industry, their interrelationship and career progression. Externally assessed: 2 hour exam worth 20% of the qualification.
- Value and Use the Built Environment - understand and appreciate; the engagement of stakeholders and communities in the development and use of the built environment. The protection of the environment and the physical structure in the use of the built environment will also be considered. Externally assessed: 2 hour exam worth 20% of the qualification.
- BIM and Construction Projects - understand and appreciate the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in managing the design, creation and maintenance of built assets. BIM is the process of designing, constructing or operating a building using electronic objected orientated information. It is technology based and relies on protocols for the storage and exchange of data. At the end of this unit the students will have produced BIM information for a development proposal and gained knowledge and practical experience of the principles and aims of BIM, of the collaborative processes involved and their potential for improvement of all aspects the built environment. Internally assessed: 40 hours controlled assessment worth 40% of the qualification.
Throughout the course the students will work with both SketchUp and Autodesk Revit to create their models and, especially in the case of BIM, they will develop the skills needed to use Revit to be able to complete Unit 4.
Unit 1 is covered in Year 12 with the internal assessment project being completed in stages throughout the year. Topics 2 and 3 are covered in Year 13 with the external assessment taking place in the summer term. Students complete Unit 4 during Year 13 with the internal assessment project being completed in stages throughout the year. If required the Unit 1 internal assessment is completed at the beginning of Year 13 before the Unit 2, 3 and 4 teaching begins.