Level 1 Diploma in Bricklaying 2025-26

Think a career in the construction industry might be for you? Bricklaying is a fantastic career option with loads of opportunities available in our area, and EDC is here to help you develop the practical tool skills and basic knowledge you’ll need to take steps towards your future career in bricklaying!

For your practical sessions, you’ll be situated in EDC’s huge bricklaying workshop. This specialist area is found on the ground floor of our Peterlee campus, and has loads of space for you to work in alongside other students.

The bricklaying workshop has a constant supply of bricks and materials for you to use, and our specialist lecturers – who have years of experience in the construction industry – will teach you everything you need to know all the way from laying your first brick to building full walls and everything else in between.

Also incorporated into the study programme will be functional skills (maths & English), tutorial, work experience, academic tutorial and relevant trips & guest visits.

The qualification consists of three core and five 'trade specific' units, including:

• Health and safety

• Technical information, quantities and communication

• Construction Technology

• Setting out basic masonry structures

• Mix construction materials

• Construct brick, block and cavity walling

We work closely with many of the leading construction firms in our region to provide great opportunities for our learners, so those who show the right attitude and approach to work and their studies will be in a fantastic position to move forward in their careers.

• Bricklayer
• Building Inspector
• Contractor
• Construction Manager
• Education and Training
• Health and Safety Officer
• Project Manager

... and so much more!

Successful completion of the level 1 programme will allow progression onto the Level 2 programme the following academic year.

Minimum of GCSE grade 2 for Math and English. Learners coming on to this programme will be expected to carry out a skills test. Your attendance, behaviour and motivation will be monitored over the first 6 weeks to ensure you are suitable for this programme, failure to meet these expectations could jeopardise your place on the course.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

The programme is assessed via online exams and practical test pieces for each unit.

September 2025

1 Year, full time.
This full time study programme course may also be available to study on a part-time basis if you are aged 18 or over on 31st August. Please check with Student Services for more details.