Apprentices will explore the functional requirements of key building elements for domestic buildings and consider the role of site investigations and conditions leading to ground stabilisation techniques before erecting foundation systems.

In this module, apprentices will understand the concept of value engineering with a specific focus on lean methodologies: MMC, offsite and modular design, and composite framing systems are evaluated.

You’ll explore the relationship between low carbon detailing, precision engineering, specification of thermal elements, vapour control layers and improved thermal comfort. You’ll cover sustainability as it related to Building Regulations Part L Conservation of Fuel and Power including the Building Safety Act 2023 as well as the Global Conventions on Climate Change Act.

Consider the science of thermal conductivity, heat transfer, calculations and specification of materials with better U values, thermal resistance alongside methods of assembly and airtightness, the elimination of cold and thermal bridges all form part of the evaluation of the responses to conservation of buildings services.

Study offsite manufacturing and modular designs, as lean systems, also promote the low carbon agenda and are mandatory and technical core competencies required for passing APC and chartered status for RICS and CIOB.

You’ll focus on providing a description of the construction sector and an economic explanation of markets, industries as well as some of the major features of construction products.

Analyse the critical principles of the relationship between economic theory and that of the construction industry.

You’ll learn the fundamental concepts and theories of economics to underpin commercial management and QS functions.

Understand economic principles as you assume more responsibility for management within a construction environment.

Explore the characteristics of non-domestic buildings and the preparatory activities for below-ground level structures including stabilisation techniques, deep retaining wall construction for basements and piling foundations and composite framing for larger more complex skyscrapers.

You’ll study the theoretical design of structural and non-structural elements as rooted in case study tall buildings around the world. You’ll be introduced to design concepts applicable to tall buildings including building safety concerning fire safety.

Consideration will also be given to the restoration challenges for listed and non-listed heritage assets – concerning economic value contribution of Historic England and the value placed on extensive restoration, conservation and recycling of some rare heritage assets.

Study the conflict between Building Regulations, the Building Safety Act of 2022 and the Global conventions under the Climate Change Act 2008.

Develop knowledge of the UK construction industry’s legal landscape where you’ll look at construction contacts and the nature of professional contractual agreements.

You’ll look at the roles and relationships relating to professional service agreements and how duty holders are compelled to comply with different levels of compliance.

Gain knowledge of the basics of general contracting, case law as well as understanding standard building forms of contracts will receive greater attention including an array of negotiated contracts such as lump sum contracts, time and materials, labour and materials and design and build.

Discover the  tools used to manage contracts including financial remedies for breach of contract, relating to quality and standard of workmanship, defective building materials, suspension and the termination of contracts.

You’ll be introduced to the key elements of procurement and contract administration including the management of the documents once they have been submitted by various parties and the level of scrutiny given to them which will give you grounding knowledge of pre-contract management.

In your studies, you’ll contrast and compare procedures the contractor follows to those of the client and subcontractor. You’ll also cover the post-contract procedure for the clients and contrast such activities to those of the contractor.

Prepare for your career as you explore the critical attributes you’ll need after you graduate.

You’ll be given a selection of tasks to complete where you will take on the relative industry role that applies, deliver solutions all whilst being judged on the industry standards.

You’ll be inspired with collaboration, creativity skills, critical thinking and team working skills and gain knowledge on how to benefit from professional development as they evolve throughout their careers.

Study the anatomy of buildings, structural behaviour and failure of buildings.

Examine how interventional activities are knowledge-led and influenced by understanding the agencies that accelerate the biodeterioration of building materials as well as the failure patterns in the way buildings function.

You’ll consider the interrelationship between design-assemble methods on traditional building techniques and embrace building pathology.

Develop your knowledge of philosophical theories of decay, damage and degree of structural failure which dictate the scale of the activities defined within conservational care, from routine repair and maintenance to comprehensive renovation or adaption to full restorative work.