We can't wait to welcome you to Andover College in September! 

We have created this interactive page to give you a sense of what studying Construction subjects, including Bricklaying, Carpentry & Joinery and Electrical Installation, at Andover College is like. Scroll down to learn more about the courses on offer and have a go at the activities provided by our experienced team of lecturers!

We will be regularly posting content onto this page to keep your interests going prior to the start of college in September - make sure to send us any work you complete to andoverapplicantwelcome@sparsholt.ac.uk with 'Construction' as the subject heading! 

Check out the pictures of all the trips and extra-curricular activities our students get to experience along with all the help and support we can provide through our experienced Careers and Health & Wellbeing teams. 

Bricklaying

Hello and welcome to your bricklaying course!

Your lecturer Martyn has put together a collection of videos and resources to help get you prepared for the course in September. These will provide you with an understanding of the work you will be carrying out and the industry that you are looking to go into.

This first clip is Martyn Smith your bricklaying lecturer welcoming you to the college and the course!

Over the length of your course you will be working within our on-site workshop in the Technology and Future Skills building carrying out a range of brick and blockwork training and assessment jobs. I have attached a video showing the type of working conditions you will experience in college and the types of walls that you will be constructing.

Bricklaying Apprentices

If you decide that bricklaying is a job that you would enjoy doing in the future then we recommend that you try to find employment as a Bricklaying apprentice. Take a look at the videos below showing the experience of bricklaying apprentices while working on site.

Take a look at the GoConstruct page below to learn more about the profession, career prospects and potential salary. 

Have a look here. 

Additional Resources 

Interested in learning more about the various topics you will study in September? Take a look at these additional resources and activities and make sure you let us know how you get on! 

Video catalogue/recommendations: 

  • Basic bricklaying brick corner - here. 
  • Laying bricks to a string line - here. 
  • Take a look at this funny construction video, maybe don't try these at home though! Here. 

Have a look around the GoConstruct page to explore your options in this exciting industry! Here. 

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Before September you should: 

  • Complete Induction pack
  • Research 5 tools that a bricklayer uses including price and where to but from.
  • Identify steel toe cap work boots for September
  • Research Bricklaying apprentice jobs in your area
  • We love working to music so pick a song that you would like to play on your groups playlist in the workshop!

Use this website to practice 101- Principles of construction & 201 Health & Safety mock tests.

Electrical Installation 

Your lecturers Jon and George have prepared a short presentation and workbook to give you an idea of what studying Electrical Installation at Andover College is like! Make sure to email your workbook back to us with 'Construction' as the email heading. They have also provided a numerical rounding challenge to keep your maths skills sharp over the summer! 

Meet the lecturers here.

"We want to welcome you to our college, and soon, hopefully, we'll be able to greet you in person. In the meantime, please watch the presentation, and complete the 3 projects and other units in the workbook. Most of all, have fun, stay safe, and look forward to hearing from you. See you soon!"

George & Jon - Electrical Tutors

Additional Resources 

Interested in learning more about the various topics you will study at college in September? Take a look at these additional resources below and let us know how you get on! 

Video recommendations: 

  • How ELECTRICITY works - here. 
  • Current Vs Voltage: How Much Current Can Kill You? Here. 
  • Spacer Installation on 765,000 volt line - here. 

Recommended reading: 

  • IET On Site Guide 18th Edition
  • Blogs and articles found on Voltimum - here. 
  • Science Facts - here. 

The Open University has a variety of free online courses available in an array of different subjects. Take a look at the catalogue to choose your course! Here. 

You could also investigate the courses offered at the EtonX web page; please note these are paid for programmes that your current school may have access to so please check with them and back here regularly for updates.

Carpentry & Joinery  

Hello and welcome to your Carpentry course!

Your lecturer Jason has put together a compilation of videos to give you a better understanding of the work you will be carrying out and the industry that you are looking to go into!

Over the length of your course you will be working within the workshop carrying out a range of carpentry and joinery training and assessment jobs. I have attached a video showing the type of working conditions you will experience in college as well as the tools you will use and the joints you will be making.

Carpentry Apprentices

If you decide that carpentry is a job that you would enjoy doing in the future then we recommend that you try to find employment as a Carpentry or Joinery apprentice. Below are two short video clips, firstly showing the experience of Joinery apprentices while working in a workshop, the second clip is a carpentry apprentice talking about their experience.

Additional Resources 

Interested in learning more about the various topics you will study at college in September? Take a look at these additional resources and let us know how you get on!

Video recommendations: 

  • How to Make Mortise and Tenon Joints with Hand Tools - here. 
  • Laurel & Hardy (busy Bodies) comedy but identifies the Risks and Hazards in the workplace and how Joinery workshops have changed since the 1930s - here. 

The Open University has a variety of free online courses available in an array of different subjects. Take a look at the catalogue to choose your course! Here. 

You could also investigate the courses offered at the EtonX web page; please note these are paid for programmes that your current school may have access to so please check with them and back here regularly for updates.

Our Courses: 

Level 1 Diploma (City & Guilds) in Bricklaying (1 Year)

Level 1 Diploma (City & Guilds) in Carpentry & Joinery (1 Year)

Level 2 Diploma/NVQ (City & Guilds) in Bricklaying (1 Year)

Level 2 Diploma/NVQ (City & Guilds) in Carpentry & Joinery (1 Year)

Level 2 Diploma (City & Guilds) in Electrical Installation (1 Year) 

Level 3 Diploma (City & Guilds) in Electrical Installation (2 Year) 

Additional Resources!

Take a look at the induction workbook below and complete as much as you can. We will be revisiting this in September and helping answer you may have. Make sure you take the time to read the included Health & Safety document. 

Careers Guidance 

Our careers guidance aims to expand the horizons of all students enabling you to make informed career decisions in order to progress both during and after college. 

Carol is our dedicated Careers Advisor for Andover College! 

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We also have our Sun Progression Mentor Anna! 

Anna SUN.jpg

Anna works alongside the Southern Universities Network (SUN) to help students recognise the routes of progression available to them, and to continue their journey in education! 

We recently launched the new Careers Hub located in the College library so come and say hello to Carol and Anna! 

Careers hub launch.jpg

Health & Safety in Construction

Student wellbeing and support 

At Andover College we understand that starting college in these uncertain times can be daunting and we aim to make this process as simple as possible. 

We have a dedicated team that provide our students with any additional support they need including; 

  • Counselling 
  • Carer support 
  • Childcare support 
  • Confidential one-to-one services 

We have also recently introduced two new members to the wellbeing team ... Arlo and Romeo the Therapy Dogs!

Arlo and Romeo are part of the continued effort from Andover College to consistently improve on and add to provisions for students. They are based on campus with their owners throughout term.

Research has shown that students are significantly less stressed and anxious, and even have increased happiness and energy, immediately following spending time in a drop-in session with a dog present. What good boys!

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Important Information: Electrical Installation Students 

As part of our EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation, all students will complete a work placement in the industry throughout the academic year. Your weekly timetable will include one dedicated work placement day and there will be group tutorial sessions throughout the year, in order to complete time sheets and portfolios.

 

Students should arrive at our enrolment event with details of their placement. If you have any questions or would like assistance with your search, please email Ashley at: iwp@sparsholt.ac.uk 

Social Media 

We love to post about all our students on our platforms including their achievements, trips and excellent work - take a look at some of the highlights below and make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube! 

Instagram - motor vehicle students.jpg

Twitter - football challenge.jpg

Facebook - subject mashup HART road accident display.jpg

Not already applied?

Got this link but not yet applied? – Click below so you can join us in September!

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