We have a range of exciting Construction Courses on offer, whether you want to learn the craft skills for a particular trade or enter the industry through management, design or supervision. With options from entry-level through to higher-level, there really is a course to suit everyone.
You will learn in realistic, well-equipped surroundings and put your knowledge into practice, so you finish your course ready for the next step, whether that is an apprenticeship, employment or higher-level study.
Develop Your Skills in Outstanding Workshops
The right facilities make a real difference to how you learn, and ours are among the best around.
Our Construction & Engineering Centre houses two large bricklaying workshops and five carpentry & joinery workshops, along with changing facilities, classrooms and IT suites. Over in our main building you will find a stonemasonry workshop, one of only a handful in the country, plus dedicated painting & decorating, plumbing and electrical installation workshops where you can practise and refine your craft.
To help you bridge the gap between the classroom and the site, we also have industry-standard materials testing equipment, so the theory you learn is something you can apply for yourself. You can take a closer look at where you will study on our Construction & Skills Centre page.
Find the Trade That is Right for You
With so many trades under one roof, you can discover the area that suits you best before you commit to it.
Depending on the course you choose, you can build skills in:
- Bricklaying
- Carpentry & joinery
- Painting & decorating
- Stonemasonry
- Plumbing
- Electrical installation
Not sure where to begin? Our Construction Skills Entry Level 3 course gives you a taste of several trades with no experience needed. Once you have found your feet, you can move on to a trade qualification such as our Bricklaying City & Guilds Diploma Level 1 or our Carpentry & Joinery Level 1 Award.
Get Ready for a Greener Industry
Construction is moving towards cleaner, more sustainable methods, and we want you to be ready for it.
The new extension to our Construction & Engineering Centre is fitted with training equipment for renewables, giving you the chance to learn how to install and maintain ground and air source heat pumps. Picking up these skills now sets you apart in a fast-growing part of the industry and prepares you for the low-carbon homes and buildings of the future.
Progress From Entry Level to Higher Level
Wherever you start with us, there is always a clear route forward.
You could earn while you learn through a construction apprenticeship, step into employment with a recognised qualification behind you or continue to higher-level study at our University Centre. Many of our students begin with a craft trade and go on to build careers in management, design and supervision, so your ambitions can grow as your skills do.
Vocational & T Level
University Centre
Apprenticeship
Courses for Adults
Vocational & T Level
University Centre
Apprenticeship
Courses for Adults
As a woman, I’ve certainly not felt there’s a ceiling in the Construction industry and three of the 10 students on our course were female. It provided a great overview and, depending on the module you enjoy most, it's a stepping stone to so many careers such as surveying, renovation, refurbishment or health and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Courses
Do you need any experience to get started?
Not at all. Plenty of students come to us with a genuine interest in construction but no hands-on background. Courses like Construction Skills Entry Level 3 are made for beginners and build your confidence one step at a time in our workshops.
What trades can you learn with us?
You can develop skills across bricklaying, carpentry & joinery, painting & decorating, stonemasonry, plumbing and electrical installation. Having so many trades in one place means you can explore your options before choosing where to specialise.
What do you need to join a course?
It depends on the course and the level you are aiming for. Some of our introductory courses have no formal entry requirements and simply ask for your commitment and enthusiasm, while trade diplomas and higher-level courses ask for GCSEs. Each course page tells you exactly what you need.
What facilities will you get to use?
You will work in our Construction & Engineering Centre, home to two large bricklaying workshops and five carpentry & joinery workshops, as well as the stonemasonry, painting & decorating, plumbing and electrical installation workshops in our main building. You will also use industry-standard materials testing equipment as part of your learning.
Can you learn about renewable energy and heat pumps?
Yes. Our Construction & Engineering Centre extension is equipped for renewables, so you can learn to install and maintain ground and air source heat pumps. These are valuable, in-demand skills as the industry shifts towards more sustainable ways of building.
Will you need your own equipment?
For practical, workshop-based trades you will usually need your own protective equipment. Your tutors will talk you through exactly what to bring at your guidance discussion or one of our open events, so you have everything ready before you start.
Can you do a construction apprenticeship at York College?
Yes. We work with local and national employers to offer construction apprenticeships, so you can earn a wage while working towards a recognised qualification. You can browse the latest openings on our apprenticeship vacancies page.
Is construction only about the trades?
No. While many students train in a craft trade, construction also offers routes into management, design and supervision. You can continue to higher-level study through our University Centre and build a long-term career in the industry.
What could you do after a construction course?
Our students go on to work across a wide range of trades, from bricklaying and carpentry to plumbing and electrical installation, and many progress into management, design and supervision roles as they gain experience.
How can you find out more?
The best way is to visit us and see the facilities for yourself. Book onto one of our Open Events, where you can explore the workshops, meet our tutors and ask any questions about starting your journey with us.
