Cement and Concrete
Four National Certificates make up the suite of qualifications available within the Cement and Concrete sector of the building industry. They are:- Sitework - producing and testing concrete, preparation, placing, finishing and curing and erecting pre-cast components.
- Precast Concrete - preparing placement with reinforcing and moulds, placing, finishing and curing, application and repairing specialist finishes; and handling, dispatching and loading pre cast units.
- Ready-Mixed Concrete - maintaining equipment and materials; producing, batching, delivering, transporting and testing Ready-Mixed concrete.
- Placing and Finishing - understanding how concrete hardens, its strengths and weaknesses; correctly placing and finishing; colouring the surface and curing; creating an exposed aggregate finish; patterning the surface of coloured and uncoloured concrete.
Apprentices are required to demonstrate an understanding of the composition of concrete and its construction, the equipment used, and the general scope of standards used.
National Certificate in Cement and Concrete - how do I achieve it?
Completing your national certificate takes around 24 months, and will depend on which qualification you choose. The number of compulsory and optional unit standards (or learning modules) vary for each of the four qualifications.
Each qualification is designed so that practical work can be learnt and applied on the job, while theory is learnt either on the job or through a self-learning package.
Once all the required unit standards have been achieved you receive a National Certificate in Cement and Concrete.
Why a National Certificate in Cement and Concrete?
Working in a trade such as cement and concrete means you can be part of a growing and exciting industry, where there's never a dull day! Here's what some of our current cement and concrete apprentices say...
"You really gain recognition amongst peers for the skills you develop"
"The training gave me a chance of building a brighter career path"
"My BCITO training gave me the chance to work for a leading construction company"
"It's a great opportunity to learn and earn at the same time"
Having qualified in cement and concrete there are a variety of career paths to choose from, including;
- Specialising in residential (housing) or commercial construction.
- Working for a large construction company.
- Running your own business and being your own boss.
If you're interested in doing a cement and concrete apprenticeship then contact your local BCITO office on 0800 422 486, for more information.