Foundation Construction Award (FCA) (Schools)

Foundation Construction Award (FCA) (Schools)

Course ID:
PC86312

Academy:
Construction

Introduction:
The preferred route into the construction industry is through an approved apprenticeship. If you have not yet secured an apprenticeship then this course will give you a much better opportunity to do so in the future due to the additional skills and knowledge which you will gain from it.

Study Mode & Location:
This one year full-time course will be held at Preston College, Fulwood Campus, St Vincent`s Road, Preston, PR2 8UR.

Course Content:
You will study practical and related skills in construction crafts in one of the following areas:

• brickwork
• joinery
• painting and decorating

Assessment:
Assessment is through written and practical coursework and performance, plus on-line testing.

Careers & Progression Opportunities:
Success on this course allows progression to employment in the construction industry or progression to an Apprenticeship or an Intermediate Construction Award.

Additional Costs:
You will be required to purchase the recommended protective clothing necessary for this programme of study.

How To Apply
To apply for a course at Preston College you will need to complete and return a College application form. Application Forms are available in our school leaver prospectuses or we can send one out to you.

Work Out Your Point Score
You will need to let us know on your application form your predicted exam grades and your point score. To work out your point score, you must use the grades that you get for GCSE Maths and English Language, and then your next best 5 grades. At Preston College, the level of course you start on will depend upon your point score. Your grades are worth the following points:

GCSE Grades

• A* = 8 points
• A = 7 points
• B = 6 points
• C = 5 points
• D = 4 points
• E = 3 points
• F = 2 points
• G = 1 point

(GCSE short courses are worth half the score of a full GCSE. Applied GCSEs are equivalent to two single GCSEs, eg an Applied GCSE at Grade C is worth 10 GCSE points).

GNVQ Foundation Part 1 (Equivalent to two GCSEs)

• Distinction = 8 points
• Merit = 6 points
• Pass = 4 points

GNVQ Intermediate Part 1 (Equivalent to two GCSEs)

• Distinction = 14 points
• Merit = 12 points
• Pass = 10 points

Full GNVQ Intermediate (Equivalent to four GCSEs)

• Distinction = 28 points
• Merit = 24 points
• Pass = 20 points

NVQs
NVQ Level 1 = 8 points. (NVQ Level 1 courses are equivalent to two GCSEs at Grade D and guarantee progression to NVQ Level 2 courses in the same subject area).

Certificates of Achievement
Up to 22 points will be awarded to students with Certificates of Achievement, for example AQA units, Compact 2000 and NPRA units. The Schools` Recruitment Team will inform you if you qualify.