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Your Study Options

Construction

  • Carpentry
  • Painting
  • Carpentry
  • Painting

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

We want to prepare you with the best construction and building skills so you can begin a career in this highly valued profession. The construction skills learnt throughout your time at Harlow College can be easily transferred throughout the region, country or the world and will enable you to work with many industry leading employers. Our purpose built workshops and construction areas are designed to simulate real world on-the-job experience. Whether you are interested in developing skills for a practical trade or learning the theoretical design principles that underpin it, we’ve got the course for you. Our Level 3 Construction & Civil Engineering course is the perfect choice for a prospective career in fields as diverse as architecture, project management and surveying. 

WHAT WILL I DO?

You will undertake extensive work experience projects and benefit from the strong partnerships the College has with local employers, including Wilmott Dixon, Harlow Council and United Living. Previous work experience has involved the development and refurbishment of a garden area in the town park and refurbishment of the town’s bandstand.

WHAT CAN I DO NEXT?

You could undertake one of the many Apprenticeships available in the construction industry. From the Construction & Civil Engineering Level 3 course, you could progress to degree courses such as Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or Quantity and Building Surveying.

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  • Level: 2
  • Study Mode: Full-time
  • Start Date: September 2026

Bricklaying Level 2

Unfortunately, due to high demand for places applications for our full-time courses for 16–18 year olds starting in September 2025 are now closed.
If you're interested in applying for a course in September 2026, we will open applications on 16th October 2025

This course is designed to provide learners with the essential skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to start a career in the construction industry. Covering key areas such as health and safety, interpreting drawings, setting out, and a wide range of bricklaying techniques, the course combines classroom-based theory with hands-on training in realistic workshop settings. Learners will develop the ability to construct walls, arches, and other brickwork structures to industry standards, while also gaining an understanding of the wider construction environment. This qualification is ideal for those seeking to enter the trade, progress onto higher levels of study, or secure employment within the building and construction sector.

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  • Level: 1
  • Study Mode: Full-time
  • Start Date: September 2026

Brickwork Level 1

Unfortunately, due to high demand for places applications for our full-time courses for 16–18 year olds starting in September 2025 are now closed.
If you're interested in applying for a course in September 2026, we will open applications on 16th October 2025

This is a practical bricklaying course in which we embed as much knowledge as possible into the practical tasks you undertake. This minimises the amount of time spent in the classroom. We use a range of delivery methods, with a large proportion of E-Learning done through iPads and other learning technologies.

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Carpentry and Joinery Apprenticeship

The broad purpose of the occupation is working with wood-based materials and associated products to create and install building components. This typically involves shaping and cutting materials, installing finished materials like partitions, doors, staircases, window frames, mouldings, timber floor coverings and erecting structural components such as floor joists and roofs. All work needs to be carried out safely, using the appropriate tools and to the quality specified.

A Site Carpenter will prepare and install basic building components e.g. doors, straight staircases, wall and floor units and erecting structural carpentry and roof structures on a building site or in domestic and commercial premises.

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  • Level: 2
  • Study Mode: Full-time
  • Start Date: September 2026

Carpentry Level 2

Unfortunately, due to high demand for places applications for our full-time courses for 16–18 year olds starting in September 2025 are now closed.
If you're interested in applying for a course in September 2026, we will open applications on 16th October 2025

This course is designed to equip learners with the practical skills and technical knowledge required to begin a career in the construction and woodworking industries. The course covers essential areas such as health and safety, interpreting technical drawings, selecting and using hand and power tools, and producing a range of carpentry joints and structures to professional standards. Through a blend of classroom learning and hands-on workshop practice, learners will gain experience in tasks such as constructing frames, fitting doors, assembling structural components, and working with a variety of timbers and sheet materials. This qualification provides a strong foundation for progression into employment, apprenticeships, or further study in advanced carpentry and joinery.

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Construction Management for England (Construction Site Supervisor) HNC Level 4

If you are already working in the engineering industry and want to upskill, as either a Higher Apprenticeship or standalone HNC. 
Or if you want to progress to university top-up eventually to a full degree.

Find out more form the Pearson student guide:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/campaigns/btec-higher-nationals.html

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Construction Management for England (Construction Site Supervisor) HND Level 5

If you are already working in the engineering industry and want to upskill or if you want to progress to university top-up eventually to a full degree.

Find out more form the Pearson student guide:
https://www.pearson.com/en-gb/schools/campaigns/btec-higher-nationals.html

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  • Level: 1
  • Study Mode: Full-time
  • Start Date: September 2025

Multi-trade – Carpentry and Brickwork Level 1

Prepare for a promising career in the construction industry with our comprehensive multi-skills course at Harlow College. This specialized program is designed to equip you with the essential skills in carpentry and brickwork, providing a strong foundation for your construction career. Our experienced instructors will guide you through hands-on training, ensuring you gain both knowledge and practical expertise. What sets our course apart is the seamless transition it offers to more advanced levels. Upon successful completion, you'll have the opportunity to progress to carpentry, brickwork, or multi-skills programs, setting you on the path to lucrative apprenticeships and a bright future in the construction field. 

Unfortunately, due to high demand for places applications for our full-time courses for 16–18 year olds starting in September 2025 are now closed.
If you're interested in applying for a course in September 2026, we will open applications on 16th October 2025

Prepare for a promising career in the construction industry with our comprehensive multi-skills course at Harlow College. This specialized program is designed to equip you with the essential skills in carpentry and brickwork, providing a strong foundation for your construction career. Our experienced instructors will guide you through hands-on training, ensuring you gain both knowledge and practical expertise. What sets our course apart is the seamless transition it offers to more advanced levels. Upon successful completion, you'll have the opportunity to progress to carpentry, brickwork, or multi-skills programs, setting you on the path to lucrative apprenticeships and a bright future in the construction field. 

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Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship

This occupation operates within the construction and built environment sector, maintaining properties across diverse industries such as housing, healthcare, education, and retail. The role of a property maintenance operative is to perform routine maintenance and minor repairs, ensuring properties remain in good working order. Using a variety of trade skills, including carpentry, plumbing, plastering, and decorating, these operatives handle day-to-day tasks as well as planned and responsive repair work to optimise the quality and performance of different types of properties.

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  • Level: 1
  • Study Mode: Full-time
  • Start Date: September 2026

Site Carpentry Level 1

Unfortunately, due to high demand for places applications for our full-time courses for 16–18 year olds starting in September 2025 are now closed.
If you're interested in applying for a course in September 2026, we will open applications on 16th October 2025

This is a practical carpentry course where we embed as much of the knowledge as possible into the hands-on tasks. This minimises the amount of time spent in the classroom. We use a range of delivery methods, mainly practical, with a large proportion of E-Learning through IPads and other technologies.

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Funding Your Course

If you're aged 19 or over and you want to study an Access to Higher Education Diploma, or a Level 3 to 6 Vocational Qualification, you could be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.