Higher Apprenticeship – Construction Design and Build Technician – Level 4

Typical job roles associated with this apprenticeship can include Architectural technologist, Assistant design co-ordinator, BIM technician, Construction design and build technician, Construction site technician, Construction technician, Design assistant, Design technician, Digital engineer, Engineering technician. In the case of small or medium sized construction companies, the roles are likely to include Construction design build co-ordinator, Design co-ordinator or Design manager. They are associated with the co-ordination of design information on construction projects and are based on construction sites, with occasional time in offices.

The typical duration for this apprenticeship is three years but this will depend upon the previous experience of the apprentice and the access they have to opportunities to gain the full range of competence.

The apprentice will complete either an HNC in Architectural Technology or HNC in Modern Methods of Construction as part of this higher apprenticeship standard. Please see the relevant course pages of these HNCs for more information. The HNC meets the knowledge requirements of the apprenticeship standard and is approved by the industry’s recognised professional bodies as meeting the educational requirements for Technician status or the equivalent level of membership.

English and Maths at Level 2 will need to be achieved before taking the End-point Assessment and will be included in the Level 4 qualification.

This apprenticeship will include the knowledge, skills and behaviours typically required to achieve Technician status – or the equivalent – with the industry’s recognised professional bodies. The final assessment process for this apprenticeship will typically be partly representative of the review process required for professional registration.

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

• The Chartered Institute Of Building (CIOB) for TechCIOB of CIOB
• Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists for Associate of CIAT

You need to be highly motivated and working in the construction industry. Your job role and responsibilities should allow you to provide evidence for the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of this apprenticeship standard. DCG assessors will check your job description and advise accordingly. 

In addition, you should have at least one of the following:

• Level 3 qualification with an overall grade equivalent of “Merit”. This could be a Level 3 qualification in Construction or construction-related field, three A-Levels in relevant subjects or Level 3 in Engineering. An international equivalent of the above is also accepted.
• Relevant work/industrial experience of five years (Full-time). If this work experience is not supported by education qualifications such as GCSEs then a minimum proficiency in Maths and English at Level 2 need to be evidenced.

Offers of a place on the course are dependent on your achieved qualifications and successful interview.

Please note ‘In line with the Consumer Act and as articulated in our Student Protection Plan, we reserve the right to close a course, if there are insufficient students to make the course viable’.

This apprenticeship includes the requirement to achieve either an HNC in Architectural Technology or HNC in Modern Methods of Construction. Please visit the relevant course pages of these HNCs on DCG’s website for more information.

The following Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours will need to be achieved during the apprenticeship programme;

Knowledge

• K1: Equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• K2: Information technology: Building Information Modelling BIM tools and processes, Common Data Environments CDE, spreadsheets, presentation, word processing, email, virtual communication and learning platforms. General Data Protection Regulation GDPR
• K3: Documentation and data collection principles, methods and requirements – electronic and analogue.
• K4: Technological development and innovation in the construction sector.
• K5: Hazard identification techniques and principles of risk management systems.
• K6: Design principles: scientific, theoretical and technical.
• K7: Design defect identification and problem solving techniques.
• K8: Properties, selection criteria and performance of materials, components and parts used in design solutions. Selection criteria.
• K9: Technical design models 3D and 2D production techniques using BIM tools including design for design, analysis and planning. Software limitations.
• K10: Methods of interpreting and extracting relevant information from drawings, specifications, BIM, and other task specific modelling software.
• K11: Industry policies, standards, and codes of practice, including the Building Safety Act.
• K12: Principles of sustainable development and their impact on the lifecycle of design solutions, including net zero carbon emissions, environmental policies and legislations, and the climate change act.
• K13: Ethical and data security principles as applied to the design and construction sector.
• K14: Methods to maintain professional competence and technical knowledge including initial professional development IPD and continuing professional development CPD.
• K15: Methods of communication and when to use them, using appropriate construction terminology and conventions. Adapting style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them.
• K16: Modern methods of construction MMC used in design solutions.
• K17: Design principles used in retrofit projects, construction and technical design solutions, and the common constraints faced.
• K18: Environmental and sustainability regulations and guidance. Environmental hazards that can arise from construction operations. Environmental management systems standard. Environmental Protection Act. Environmental signage and notices. Principles of waste management and designing out waste.
• K19: Legislation and types of construction contracts relevant to construction projects and procurement types.
• K20: Energy sources: low carbon CHP, biomass GSHP, zero carbon heat and power, wind, solar PV, thermal, hydro aiming for net zero energy in use.
• K21: Methods of optimising energy use through design: fabric efficiency, passive and active design solutions, low energy lighting, building controls, energy performance.
• K22: Health and safety regulations relevant to the occupation and the technician’s responsibilities.
• K23: Building safety legislation, Construction Design and Management regulations. Occupational health and management systems.
• K24: Historical architectural typologies, construction materials and construction methods used in traditional buildings including substructure, drainage, roofs, walls, floors, doors and windows.
• K25: Awareness of issues and common symptoms and warning signs of stress, anxiety, and depression, plus where to go for help and the resources available.
• K26: Project management techniques: project budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
• K27: Mathematical, statistical, data interpretation tools. Analytical and computational methods used to interpret and solve technical and engineering problems.
• K28: Site inspection processes and reporting techniques.
• K29: Collaborative working, relationship management techniques with clients and stakeholders.
• K30: Quality assurance techniques.
• K31: Site and building space optimisation techniques: site selection, location, layout, passive orientation, perspective, how the design works with surroundings, maximise daylighting, solar gain, prevent overheating, prevailing winds, ventilation, natural, cross, mixed, thermal comfort and thermal mass.
• K32: Principles and use of analytical and computer design based software packages.
• K33: Climate change – the nature and sources of harmful emissions and reduction measures that can be taken both by individuals and organisations. including the types of practices necessary to support achievement of the government’s sustainability and net zero goals, including personal responsibilities. How the sector approaches energy use, travel strategies, waste management, financial services, procurement, water use, infrastructure, adaptation and use of building.

Skills

• S1: Apply mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods to interpret and solve technical, engineering and design problems.
• S2: Interpret and compare performance information to choose compliant materials, components and parts.
• S3: Select and use technical literature and other sources of information and data.
• S4: Produce design and technical drawings, designs, and models, using analytical and computer-based software packages.
• S5: Produce technical design solutions.
• S6: Comply with industry standards, CDM, statutory regulation and legislation, policies, and codes of practice.
• S7: Comply with health, safety and welfare regulations, standards and guidance.
• S8: Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate and mitigate risk.
• S9: Apply principles of sustainable development and assess impact.
• S10: Apply ethical and data security principles to design projects.
• S11: Prepare written design reports.
• S12: Interact with the operation and maintenance of a Common Data Environment CDE and ensure this maintains integrity and follows agreed protocols and that data security.
• S13: Handle information including validating, managing, disseminating and storing throughout all stages of a project or asset.
• S14: Identify design defects and solve problems to advise a compliant outcome, escalate issues or concerns.
• S15: Apply quality assurance techniques.
• S16: Use computer based software systems and packages to manage construction projects for example BIM tools, data analytics and databases.
• S17: Conduct site inspections of designs and report findings.
• S18: Comply with sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance including the management and designing out of waste.
• S19: Optimise energy use through design of efficient fabric, passive and active design solutions, low energy lighting, building controls, energy performance.
• S20: Optimise site potential and building space.
• S21: Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology.
• S22: Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• S23: Apply project management techniques. For example: project budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
• S24: Interpret and extract relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions including BIM, and other task specific modelling software

Behaviours

• B1: Take personal responsibility for and promote sustainable principles.
• B2: Committed to maintaining and enhancing competence of self and others through Continued Professional Development CPD.
• B3: Act ethically.
• B4: Puts safety first for themselves and others
• B5: Encourage a diverse and inclusive culture.

This will be a combination or work-based learning with the help of an assessor and learning at the college by completing an HNC qualification on part-time basis. Please visit the course page for the HNC qualification on DCG’s website for more information.

You need safety boots and Personal Protective Equipment, such as a hard hat and overalls, which should be supplied by your employer. You will need to purchase a scientific calculator and technical drawing equipment. For voice-over PowerPoint presentations you will need access to a microphone. 

You will also need access to a computer or laptop with internet, Windows 7 Operating System or above, Microsoft Office 2010 or above, and the ability to run Revit or AutoCAD Architecture which can be downloaded for free from Autodesk for students. 

The purchase of appropriate books and e-books is encouraged and guidance on which books to purchase will be given by subject specialists.

Once the apprentice has achieved the HNC and Level 2 English and Maths, completed a digital portfolio and satisfied the off-the-job training requirements of the Employer Gateway, an End-point Assessment will take place which will be delivered in the following order: 

• Online Test – this underpins the knowledge required to work as a Construction Design and Build Technician and needs to be completed and passed as the first element of the End-point Assessment process.
• Project – apprentices must pass the Project before taking the Professional Discussion.
• Professional Discussion – Ideally, the Professional Discussion should be taken and achieved by the end of month 5 following the Gateway.

The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are: fail, pass, merit or distinction.

For the assessment of the HNC qualification, please visit its course page on DCG’s website.

The purpose of the HNC qualification included in this apprenticeship is to develop students as professional, self-reflecting individuals able to meet the demands of employers in the Construction and Built Environment sector and adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualification aims to widen access to higher education and enhances the career prospects of those who undertake it. Graduates can perform key modern methods of construction tasks, understand processes and operations, and work effectively.

You could progress to an HND Level 5 or to a BSc/BEng degree or degree apprenticeship (Level 6) in a related discipline, drawing on the broad knowledge base you will have gained from this course.

Completing this apprenticeship standard will pave the way into employment in one of the following job roles:

• Construction Design and Build Technician
• Design & Build Co-ordinator
• Construction Design Manager
• Construction Contracts Manager
• Construction Manager
• Construction Project Manager

We encourage you to join the CIOB at student membership level during your study of this course. The apprenticeship could also lead to you gaining chartered status and further qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), with the potential for moving into a Project Director role.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk