Welcome construction and building services applicants!

What our students say

We hear from what Sophie's experience on the course has been, talking about exciting work placements, amazing facilities and how supportive her teachers have been.

Meet the teachers

Get to know to know a bit more about your teachers before you join us.

Andrew Stevens

Ben Seal

Andrew Griffin

Jordan Harrison

Mandley Ricketts

Mark Cantrill

Mark Porter

Reece Pridmore

Ryan Askham

Stephen Fenwick

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  Kit list

  Find out what equipment and resources you'll need before you join as a West Notts student.

  Download kit list

Gallery

Recently, Entry Level and Level 1 students worked in collaboration with our Painting and Decorating department, to renovate a piano into a storange/clockroom unit.

Students were issued with a project brief to design and build student accommodation, based on the university’s real plans to develop accommodation throughout 2024.

A range of manufacturers and suppliers of construction tools and PPE attended the construction campus for our students to try out and enquire about a range of equipment.

Plumbing teacher Jonathan is brining warmth and compassion to charity premises across the UK, with a helping hand from the college’s apprentices.

After completing their level 1 bricklaying qualification, students have marked the King’s Coronation celebrations by constructing a Union Jack wall using the skills and knowledge they have gained over the past year.

T Level students met with the Principal Lecturer and Deputy Head of the Department of the Natural and Built Environment, who delivered a construction masterclass.

Construction students have used their creative skills to transform two antique pianos into bespoke furniture.

I soon found myself in a very positive environment which made me feel that I really was supposed to be there. Teachers cared about me and they wanted me to do my best and be motivated.

FAQs - construction and building services courses

The following information will hopefully give you a little bit more of an insight into what it will be like to be a student with us.

• Where will I study?

  All of our construction and building Services courses are based at our Construction Centre campus, based in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Our specialist facilities include fully functional workshops, a CAD suite and a gas assessment centre.

• What is it like?

  The college is an adult, professional environment intended to prepare you to work in your chosen industry. As such, we expect students’ behaviour to reflect the world of work. Attendance and punctuality are very important. One of our main focuses is health and safety, which is a key driver in all aspects of construction. Therefore, we have very high expectations in terms of behaviour and attitude.

• What will I study?

  The courses are a mix of practical sessions, within our specialist workshops and traditional theory sessions in a classroom. The higher the level of programme, the more theory-based work you will be expected to do. It is important you understand that you will not be in a workshop all the time. Your practical work will be assessed but you will also have to submit written assignments as part of your course.

• What about English and maths?

  If you start at college and you haven’t yet achieved your English and maths GCSEs at grade 4 or above, then you will continue to study these for three hours each week per subject. At the end of your first year you will take a re-sit GCSE exam. It is important you attend your English and maths lessons alongside your chosen course.

  Take a look at our fact sheets to find out why English and maths is important within this industry.

  English and maths in bricklaying

  English and maths in carpentry and joinery

  English and maths in electrical

• What will I have to wear?

  You will be expected to wear the designated coloured t-shirt for your area at all times whilst in the workshops including safety steel toe capped boots and work trousers (at a small cost). In the classroom environment you are expected to wear the coloured t-shirt and a choice of suitable footwear and trousers.

  We recommend each learner has two t-shirts.

  • Apprentices – Purple
  • BTEC – Orange. No jogging bottoms or sport attire allowed, we recommend jeans or chino style trousers
  • Brickwork – Navy
  • Carpentry and Joinery – Heather Grey
  • Electrical - Yellow
  • Foundation studies – Red
  • Painting and decorating – White
  • Plastering – Bottle Green
  • Plumbing – Light Blue
• Will I have to do a work placement?

  At levels 2 and 3 you will be expected to complete a work placement and the central work placement team will help you find one. This will be on a construction site or workshop linked to your chosen area and is a great way for you to get your foot in the door, impress an employer and potentially move into a job or apprenticeship as a result. We have great links with local employers and have a lot of apprentices studying on-site with us.

  All of our students will be able to also get engaged with our learning companies, which provide in-house opportunities to gain real-world experience. This year students have worked within our workshops and across various industry places to establish good links and captivate their studies even further, from renovation to picnic benches and animal holdings.

• Will there be somewhere for me to safely secure my belongings?

  Yes. You will have access to lockers, on a first come first serve basis. It's just a £5 deposit for the year.

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