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NPTC COURSE FINDER
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The School of Construction and Built Environment is the largest School within Neath Port Talbot College. In conjunction with the School of Building Engineering Services and the School of Engineering, it forms a major part of the Faculty of Technology and Innovation.
The School of Construction offers a wide range of programmes that cover many of the traditional, building craft disciplines.
It is a major provider of Construction Education in Wales and is highly appropriate for those studying or being assessed at Levels 1 to 4. The School is also increasingly expanding the range of Higher Education courses offered. The College has ‘Accredited College’ status with the University of Glamorgan’ and offers HNC and Foundation Degree Programmes in Construction Technology and Management. More than 1200 students and adult students attend the School weekly, including almost 300, fourteen to sixteen year olds.
Delivery of the Construction programmes occurs at all three of the major campuses: Llansamlet, Swansea, where there is a dedicated Building Craft Training Centre (opposite the ASDA supermarket, PC World); the Neath Campus, where both Building Craft and Technician/Higher Technician studies (up to level 5) are offered, and Afan Campus where a recently constructed workshop offers superb facilities for 14-16 yr old learners attending as part of a partnership with schools from Port Talbot.
Restructuring in the College, coupled with the construction of a new six million pounds, Electronic Learning Centre and relocation of the Mechanical Engineering workshops at the Neath campus, has generated additional teaching space, which has been refurbished for the School of Construction. The Llansamlet, Swansea, campus has recently been expanded and enhanced facilities have been incorporated.
A new, specialist Building Maintenance Training facility has been established in Caerau, near Maesteg. This innovative Centre has been founded to meet the training needs of major social housing providers. The Centre addresses the needs of the supply chain (suppliers/sub-contractors etc) and the demands set by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh Housing Quality Standard, to provide decent housing.
Student recruitment has expanded in all areas of construction over the past few years. This reflects growing public confidence in the Construction/Property Industries as providers of long-term sustainable careers and Neath Port Talbot College as the 'place for your future'. The skills shortage in traditional building craft skills is an increasingly important factor. The ‘Regional Statement of Needs and Priorities for South West Wales - 2007-2008’ reinforces the demand for such services.
A substantial schools (14-16) provision operates through the ANDP and similar partnership arrangements exist, with various individual local schools in Swansea. A Saturday morning programme for schools has run successfully, for many years.
Strong links are maintained with local industry, through various industrial liaison activities e.g.: work-based assessment, group training meetings; and professional links are maintained with Construction Skills, CIOB, RICS, Asset Skills etc. and numerous training providers. Industrial visits feature prominently in the delivery of programmes and include vernacular, traditional and future building typologies - at locations, such as:
Short courses are delivered to local industry in areas such as: CAD, Land Surveying, Bricklaying, Plastering, etc. Cost recovery initiatives are available through the January 2010 prospectus and the College welcomes the opportunity to work in partnership with employers to design and develop bespoke training packages.
The School has currently developed assessment services for various NVQ awards for technicians and professionals at levels 3 and 4, and would welcome approaches from local industry and the public sector to implement training plans for their staff.
Many students progress to long-term careers within the various Built Environment Professions, Construction Management and Allied Industries.
Areas of outstanding achievement by learners, lecturers etc. exist, include Plastering where National Awards are won on a regular basis.
The National Certificate in Construction – where over several years students attained the highest grade in Wales - in the BTEC Edexcel IVA and were recognised by the Civil Engineering Construction Association with a £500 prize.
Many courses demonstrate completion and attainment rates which are above the sector average and are considered outstanding.
The College has an active staff development and research programme; with many staff, being members and leaders within their respective built environment - professional institutions and trade bodies. Examples include:
The School has offered Higher Education programmes since 1996. The evening only mode of delivery, HNC (offered in conjunction with partner universities) has proved attractive to mature candidates, working within the construction industry.
Successful validation has taken place and there are HNC/D and Foundation degrees in Construction Management available - in partnership with the University Of Glamorgan.
Future Higher Level initiatives which are currently being considered include partnering a Local HE institution in its delivery of the BSc Building Conservation Management. The school has marketed at a number of major events and two of the staff regularly address Local and National Events on current topics.
The School provides a valued service to the built environment sector across much of south Wales. We hope to have the opportunity to discuss your future needs and support your personal development. Why not contact us?
