From September 2011, learners can enrol on new Construction courses at Carshalton College. The Construction industry is a booming sector employing a large number of graduates and apprentices offering exciting careers in plumbing, carpentry, brickwork, plastering and electrical installation.

Over the Summer, Carshalton College will be installing a Plastering workshop for students enrolling on the new Level 1 and Level 2 Plastering Courses, aimed at 16 to 18 years and for 19 plus learners.

The specialised teaching space will have individual bays with the facilities to practise preparation and mixing techniques looking at tools, materials and processes. Modules will include carrying out mouldings, plastering to different wall types, repairing and patching damaged walls and health and safety issues. In addition to the new courses, the College is re introducing Level 1 Diplomas in Brickwork and Carpentry to meet demand and offering learners the chance to progress from the BTEC Level 1 courses onto a BTEC Diploma in Construction Level 2, also known as the Multi Trade Diploma. Learners on this Level 2 course get experience of four disciplines including Plumbing, Carpentry, Plastering and Electrical Installation. The flexible provisions are a response to Open Event feedback and demand from prospective learners. There will now be 10 courses to choose from in construction.

Des Small, Course Leader, for the Construction courses spoke about the appeal of the subjects on offer and studying at Carshalton College “Our highly skilled tutors provide the knowledge and skills in industry replicated facilities preparing learners to go and work in the industry. We hosted the HIPS regional competition in February as the facilities have been recognised as a high standard by training providers. We are also proud of our high success rates and progression opportunities. The Multi Trade courses allow students to go into a number of careers on graduating or progress onto an Apprenticeship“ The HIPS Competition tested Plumbing students competence with the challenge of arranging hot and cold feeds to a radiator from a boiler which were air tested at the end. Footage of the HIPS Competition can be seen on the College website under the Video Gallery titled The Apprentice of the Year.

In addition to the new facilities, students will hopefully be taking part in the WorldSkills London 2011 event. The team have recently put in a bid to attend the exhibition with 90 learners at the Excel Centre in London and compete in construction activities. The organisers would also bring delegates to the College to showcase our facilities.

Based on information supplied by Maxine Alexander.