Taught in our CEL building on our Skelmersdale campus, you will learn life changing skills and develop friendships for life when you begin working on-site with fellow tradesmen and women.
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What can I study?
Bricklaying Level 1
Those studying Bricklaying Level 1 will learn a variety of skills to enable them to build, repair and maintain the country's housing stock.
Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
Location: West Lancashire College
Bricklaying Level 2
Those studying our Bricklaying course will learn a variety of skills to enable them to build, repair and maintain the country's housing stock.
Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
Location: West Lancashire College
Bricklaying Level 3
Much of the Bricklaying coursework is practical as you will work in our department in order to become a competent bricklayer.
Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
Location: West Lancashire College
Carpentry and Joinery Level 1
Working in the Carpentry and Joinery industry is an exciting and rewarding time, as you will gain skills that can be utilised in this growing industry.
Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
Location: West Lancashire College
Carpentry and Joinery Level 2
Working in the Carpentry and Joinery industry is an exciting and rewarding time, as you will gain skills that can be utilised in this growing industry.
Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
Location: West Lancashire College
Multi Skills Entry 3
The Entry Level 3 qualification in Construction Skills is the perfect opportunity for students interested in working in the construction industry, but do not know which trade area to specialise in.
Length: 35 Weeks
Study: Full Time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
Location: West Lancashire College
Plumbing Level 1
This qualification is for those wanting to enter the Plumbing industry as it provides you with the opportunity to pick up some core skills and knowledge
Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
Location: West Lancashire College
Plumbing Studies Level 2
A qualification in Plumbing will help you learn the trade and progress onto an NVQ
Length: 1 Year
Study: Full Time
Start date: 2nd September 2024
Location: West Lancashire College
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Meet our students and tutors
Alan Finnetty
Bricklaying LecturerI am a passionate brickwork lecturer with over 40 years of experience in construction, I have developed a broad range of knowledge and skills building large homes, hospitals, and schools with recognised construction companies. I have extensive experience as a mentor and teacher for a diverse range of students with over 15 years in education for ages ranged 16-18yrs and adult students. I have gained qualifications for tutoring brickwork at levels 1, 2 and 3 diplomas, IQA and Assessing. I have experienced, in further education, broader ranges of teaching to SEN and school groups.
Alex
Electrical StudentI’ve been a student at West Lancashire College since September, not knowing or understanding a concept or formula before starting the course but with the help of my tutors, I’ve worked hard to ensure I learn as much as possible. This summer, I will be embarking on a working holiday in Florida, with two electrical companies and the possibility of a full-time position.
Amanda Maddocks
Curriculum Manager for Construction, National Secretary of British Association of Construction HeadsAs Curriculum Manager for Construction, I have high expectations for both student and staff. I am passionate about ensuring the learning experience in Construction is the very best it can be, always looking for additional opportunities that students wouldn’t get anywhere else. We create a safe and supportive environment to ensure all learners reach their full potential and progress into the Construction Industry, with support from our network of employer links.
Anthony Dickinson
Bricklaying LecturerI have been a lecturer at West Lancashire College for 10 years and prior to working here, I was part of the Construction industry for more than 28 years, where I developed a broader range of knowledge and skills. I am dedicated and knowledgeable college lecturer with a passion for education and a strong commitment to student success. My extensive knowledge base allows me to provide in-depth insights and practical applications to students, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject with adept and design and develop curriculum that align with the needs of my students and the course objectives. I incorporate a variety of teaching methods, such as lectures, interactive discussions, case studies, and hands-on activities, to promote active learning and cater to diverse learning styles.
Carla
Carpentry and Joinery StudentI am a Carpentry and Joinery Level 2 student at West Lancashire College, where I am learning about the welfare in construction, as well as the principles of building construction. I am thoroughly enjoying the course as it’s fun and something a little bit different for me. My future will consist of going into a full time job where I can put my valuable Carpentry and Joinery skills to the test.
Dylan
Bricklaying StudentI chose the Bricklaying course at West Lancashire College as it will help me in aiming towards an Apprenticeship in the industry. It is a fantastic hands-on, practical course which I am really enjoying. Alan has been a fantastic tutor throughout my time here and I am very grateful for his dedication to seeing students thrive.
Florence
Carpentry and Joinery StudentI am a Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery student and I have chosen this course as I have a dream of becoming an Interior Designer, so I want to understand the skills behind the industry. My next steps will be to complete the course and move onto Level 3 Art and Design, to continue achieving my dream.
Gary Disley
Carpentry and Joinery LecturerI started work in the construction industry when I left school as a joiner /carpenter, I completed a three-year apprenticeship where I achieved my city and guilds qualifications followed by my advanced city and guilds. I have worked in the industry since working on various contracts throughout the country. I started education as an onsite assessor working with apprentices on site helping them to achieve their NVQ qualifications and I later moved into full time teaching and have done so for the last fourteen years, teaching full time students and apprentices up to level three.
Lee Moorhouse
Carpentry and Joinery LecturerAs a carpentry & joinery lecturer at West Lancashire College, my main aim is to create tradespeople of the future. With a grand total of 30 years in the trade, I think it’s safe to say that Carpentry & Joinery is my passion. Working as both a Carpenter and a Joiner has taken me all over the British Isles and quite a few different countries throughout Europe, that I doubt I would have ever had the chance to visit. My job gives me the satisfaction of not only doing what I love to do, but also passing on my knowledge and skills, as well as hopefully trying to instil in others the passion I have.
Michael
Electrical StudentAs an Electrical student, I’ve progressed from Level 2 to Level 3, with my knowledge and understanding of the course consistently growing. I pride myself on having a great attention to detail, a deep understanding of electrical science principles and I am aiming to gain an electrical mechanical apprenticeship at Jaguar Land Rover.
Mollie
Plumbing StudentI am currently studying the Level 2 Plumbing course at West Lancashire College and I chose this as I wanted to be different, to take my career in a direction that nobody else would choose for me. I have applied to be an Apprentice with the college in the near future, which I am really looking forward to. Amanda Maddocks has been fantastic with helping me to apply and has offered a lot of advice for the future.
Paul O'Brien
Electrical LecturerThe most rewarding part of my job is seeing students of all ages make that start with us and then go on to find a role that suits them. We set students on the path to apprenticeships, further study, full-time employment, or simply to feel more confident around their electrical equipment at home. Each year, our students typically range in age from 16 to 50 years across both day and evening courses. No matter what your stage in life or future ambition our electrical courses provide the launchpad for your electric future.
Owen
Bricklaying StudentI am due to complete my Level 2 course in Bricklaying, where I’ve successfully completed my practical units in line with the construction standards, as well as completing my Health and Safety and Principles of Building City & Guilds online exams in which I earned a distinction grade. The support at West Lancashire College has been amazing; my tutor Alan is always there to support me and my classmates with all elements of the course. I am hoping to find an Apprenticeship or progress onto the Level 3 Bricklaying course.
Trevor Wells
Electrical LecturerI moved into teaching in 2009 and have worked at West Lancashire College since then, delivering Level 2 and Level 3 courses to wonderful students, as well as Level 3 Apprenticeships.
What can I do with a qualification in Construction?
Daily tasks:
- Organises and establishes control systems to monitor operational efficiency and performance of materials and systems.
- Organises and plans projects, arranges work schedules, carries out inspection work and plans maintenance control.
- Designs structures such as roads, dams, bridges, railways, hydraulic systems, sewerage systems, industrial and other buildings and plans the layout of tunnels, wells and construction shafts.
- Designs foundations and earthworks.
- Determines and specifies construction methods, materials, quality and safety standards and ensures that equipment operation and maintenance comply with design specifications.
- Undertakes research and advises on soil mechanics, concrete technology, hydraulics, water and waste water treatment processes and other civil engineering matters.
Daily tasks:
- Organises and establishes control systems to monitor operational efficiency and performance of materials and systems.
- Ensures that equipment, operation and maintenance comply with design specifications and safety standards.
- Designs mechanical equipment, such as steam, internal combustion and other non-electrical motors for railway locomotives, road vehicles, aeroplanes and other machinery.
- Determines materials, equipment, piping, capacities, layout of plant or system and specification for manufacture.
- Undertakes research and advises on energy use, materials handling, thermodynamic processes, fluid mechanics, vehicles and environmental controls.
Daily tasks:
- Organises and establishes control systems to monitor the performance and safety of electrical assemblies and systems.
- Ensures that manufacture, operation and maintenance comply with design specifications and contractual arrangements.
- Determines and specifies manufacturing methods of electrical systems.
- Supervises, controls and monitors the operation of electrical generation, transmission and distribution systems.
Daily tasks:
- Tests, diagnoses faults and undertakes repair of electronic equipment.
- Organises and establishes control systems to monitor performance and evaluate designs.
- Determines and specifies appropriate production and/or installation methods and quality and safety standards.
- Undertakes research and advises on all aspects of telecommunications equipment, radar, telemetry and remote control systems, data processing equipment, microwaves and other electronic equipment.
Daily tasks:
- Prepares specifications for materials and other components.
- Produces final design information for use in preparation of layouts, parts lists, etc..
- Arranges construction and testing of model or prototype and modifies design if necessary.
- Prepares working designs for steam, aero, turbine, marine and electrical engines, mechanical instruments, aircraft and missile structures, vehicle and ship structures, plant and machinery equipment, domestic electrical appliances, building systems and services, and electronic computing and telecommunications equipment.
- Assesses product requirements, including costs, manufacturing feasibility and market requirements.
Daily tasks:
- Designs, controls and constructs process plants to manufacture products.
- Undertakes research and develops processes to achieve physical and/or chemical change for oil, pharmaceutical, synthetic, plastic, food and other products.
- Liaises with materials buying, storing and controlling departments to ensure a steady flow of supplies.
- Advises management on and ensures effective implementation of new production methods, techniques and equipment.
- Investigates and eliminates potential hazards and bottlenecks in production.
- Devises and implements production control methods to monitor operational efficiency.
- Recommends optimum equipment and layout and prepares drawings and specifications.
- Studies existing and alternative production methods, regarding work flow, plant layout, types of machinery and cost.
Daily tasks:
- Provides technical consultancy services.
- Examines and advises on patent applications.
- Prepare sketches, drawings and specifications showing materials to be used, construction and finishing methods and other details.
- Devises and implements control systems to monitor operational efficiency and performance of system and materials.
- Designs new systems and equipment with regard to cost, market requirements and feasibility of manufacture.
- Establishes principles and techniques to improve the quality, durability and performance of materials such as textiles, glass, rubber, plastics, ceramics, metals and alloys.
- Researches into problem areas to advance basic knowledge, evaluate new theories and techniques and to solve specific problems.
Daily tasks:
- Writes reports for funding bids and planning authorities and acts as expert witness.
- Examines accident 'backspots' to improve road safety.
- Assesses schemes to manage traffic such as congestion charging and parking controls.
- Forecasts the impact on traffic and transport of new developments (e.g. shopping centre).
- Records, monitors and reports progress.
- Identifies defects in work and proposes corrections.
- Regularly inspects and monitors progress and quality of work, ensures legal requirements are met.
- Hires and may supervise site staff, establishes temporary site offices, takes delivery of materials.
- Plans work schedules for construction projects based on prior discussion with architects, surveyors etc..
- Assembles information for invoicing at the end of projects.
Daily tasks:
- Oversees effective implementation of adopted processes, schedules and procedures.
- Prepares plan of sequence of operations and completion dates for each phase of production or processing.
- Analyses plans, drawings, specifications and safety, quality, accuracy, reliability and contractual requirements.
- Prepares work flow charts for individual departments and compiles detailed instructions on processes, work methods and quality and safety standards for workers.
- Ensures accuracy of machines, jigs, fixtures, gauges and other manufacturing and testing equipment.
- Devises inspection, testing and evaluation methods for bought-in materials, components, semi-finished and finished products.
Daily tasks:
- Inspects construction materials and supervises work of contractors to ensure compliance with specifications and arranges remedial work as necessary.
- Sets out construction site, supervises excavations and marks out position of building work to be undertaken.
- Performs calculations and collects, records and interprets data.
- Sets up apparatus and equipment and undertakes field and laboratory tests of soil and work materials.