Skills Bootcamp – Construction Multi-Skills

This Skills Bootcamp will provide you with an introduction to the practical skills in a range of trade occupations within the construction industry. Its is aimed at adults who are:

• Currently employed in construction, who want to gain a broad range of trade skills to be able to take on additional duties or a new role for the employer,
• Currently not in work and looking to gain skills to enable them to enter employment in the construction industry, or;
• Self-employed and providing DIY services, looking to increase customer base and services you can provide.

This part time programme focuses on developing practical skills for direct application to the construction workplace and will be delivered one day a week learning with our subject specialist lecturer. As part of your studies, you will follow and complete projects that will provide you with a portfolio of work and confidence to move on or up in the construction industry.

The programme will cover the following practical tasks:

Carpentry – we will teach you how to use basic hand tools safely, then apply those skills for sawing straight and chiselling. We will teach you how to measure and mark out accurately, then cut, and assessable a small stud wall, then position a lining in it, before cutting and fitting an architrave

Bricklaying – you will learn about bonding in brickwork and the reason for this, then build a straight wall in half bond, applying a half round finish

You will then build a corner and run a stretcher bond wall off this then apply a half round finish. You will have the opportunity to build a blockwork corner positioning wall tie, then form a brickwork cavity.

Paving and Slabbing – you will learn how to prepare a base for slabbing and paving as well as learn patterns and installation techniques.

Decorating – you will learn how to prepare and apply wallpaper to a wall with different materials and patterns.

Plastering – you will learn to apply multi finish plaster in 2 coats to a wall, the size of the area will depend on your ability and confidence.

Tiling – you will learn how to set out and apply tiles to walls including decorative patterns.

(The order of the subjects may change)

Each week will be broken down into theoretical input and practical skills training. Practical training will be provided for each area to develop the specific skills required to compete tasks and improve to a professional standard.

For more information please contact one of our Skills Bootcamp Advisers:
Email: skillsbootcamps@exe-coll.ac.uk
Call: 01392 400800

Applicants for this course need to be either:

• Employed – to take on a new role or duties in your current workplace. Your employer will be asked to pay a contribution (dependent on the size of the organisation),
• Unemployed – committed to actively seeking employment opportunities independently during the course and gaining employment in the sector,
• Self-employed – You currently have a self employed business, and are using the course to help grow your business and commit to provide evidence that you have acquired new clients and provide additional services, after the course has finished.

To apply you will need to meet the following criteria:

• You were aged 19 on or before 31st August 2025
• You have the right to work in the UK.
• You have lived in the UK or EU/EAA for the last 3 years or have a residency status that makes you exempt from this rule.
• English skills including written/spoken required with Level 1 being the minimum.
• You have not completed another Skills Bootcamp in this current financial year.
• You are committed to participating in delivery sessions for 10 weeks.
• This course is open to aged 19+ residents of Devon.

All applicants will be assessed at interview.

This Skills Bootcamp is delivered at Construction Centre, Falcon House, Falcon Road, Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter, Devon, EX2 7LB