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.

Study the design challenges and environmental and human factors in establishing why the construction industry is considered the most dangerous despite the heavy legal and financial penalties for those who breach the law.

Understand the classification of construction activity will reveal patterns in the anatomy of site accidents and the combative safety legislation, its application and how it is enforced.

You’ll consider the relationship between safety, design and the early involvement of project managers which reinforces the legacy of the EU Safety Directives and the 2015 CDM regulations.

You’ll look at case studies of site accidents, HSE concerning training, inspectorate obligations and the benefits of adopting 4D construction planning and simulation packages that allow construction and project managers to do some planning at the preconstruction stages.

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.

You’ll demonstrate an understand and application of construction detailing, based on a case study project and using construction IT applications to corroborate data from varied sources and to synthesize the outcomes based on Advanced New Rules of Measurement.

Develop alternative modelling and specification of building elements which align with the traditional estimating approaches based on the BCIS (Building and Cost Information Service) and demonstrate a high level of analysis using both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

Use the transferrable knowledge you’ve built from design briefs and other sources to construct outputs such as specifications, and technical and well annotated details which form the basis of the technical advice which informs the employer information for the client and other stakeholders.

You’ll conduct your own independent research project where you’ll demonstrate a critical review of existing primary and secondary data from established sources such as BRE, ONS, CIOB and RICS.