Engineering

Can you see yourself creating, planning and overseeing the construction of buildings and infrastructure; from roads, bridges and canals, to some of the tallest buildings in the world?

Do you enjoy problem solving and finding out how things work?

Why not think about a course in Civil Engineering? There is a constant need for Civil Engineers in Scotland and internationally.

You can study a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subject choices while still at school. The course takes 2 years to complete, starting in S5 and finishing at the end of S6. Transport to and from college/employer will be organised and paid for.

The Foundation Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering includes:

•  A National Certificate in Civil Engineering
•  At least one unit from the SVQ3 in Civil Engineering

Here’s more on what you’ll be doing:

• You’ll identify the requirements of preliminary and temporary works, such as security measures, adequate on-site access routes, material storage, safe working methods and operations.
• You’ll learn about construction technology for domestic buildings, starting with groundworks and substructure, before moving onto superstructure and finishes.
• You’ll develop skills in construction site surveying, including the basic principles of land surveying and techniques used to prepare construction site plans. You’ll learn how to interpret data from site plans, Ordnance Survey (OS) maps and plans.
• You’ll look at the utilities and services provided in domestic buildings, such as sewer and drainage, electricity and gas supplies, cold and hot water, and space heating.
• You’ll explore sustainable design for architecture, learning how to optimise building form, materials and orientation to contribute towards a sustainable construction project.
• You’ll develop skills in CAD (Computer Aided Drafting), learning how to produce and edit 2D construction drawings.
• You’ll look at modern methods of construction, exploring how these can improve efficiency and sustainability in the construction industry.
• You’ll learn about the materials most commonly used in the construction industry, from cement and concrete, to bricks and timber.
• You’ll develop skills in producing and interpreting construction drawings, learning basic manual drawing techniques.
• You’ll learn how to use specific mathematic elements in a civil engineering context.

You should have or be working towards, a National 5 qualifications in Mathematics. Your guidance teacher should think you are capable of working at SCQF Level 6, the same level as a Higher qualification.

Assessment is on an ongoing basis.

If you achieve the Foundation Apprenticeship, you will have a solid basis for progression to a Modern Apprenticeship or a Higher National Certificate in a range of construction or civil engineering careers specialisms like:

•  Construction Management
•  Architectural technology
•  Quantity Surveying
•  Building Surveying