Construction and the Built Environment

We offer a variety of courses covering many aspects of the Construction and Built Environment industry, so you can pick the specialism you wish to train in.

Brick

If you are hands-on and enjoy practical challenges, a job in the bricklaying industry could be for you.

Our industry standard facilities will give you the skills you need to achieve as a Brciklayer. The purpose-built 200+ M2 workshop gives you plenty of room to practice building your walls, and a 1200 litre pan mixer will help you perfect your mortar mixing skills.

Carpentry

Carpentry is a woodworking craft that takes skill and precision to master. You’ll be cutting, shaping and installing building materials.

You will be working in our industry-standard workshop with top-of-the-range tools such as circular saws and power planers.

Electrical

We offer Electrical training courses for all levels, training you to become a reliable and skilled Electrician.

Each of our classrooms contain individual bays for you to work in, giving you the space to work on your own electrical circuits, find faults, and increase your electrical installation skills.

Plumbing

Train to be a Gas Engineer or Plumber today, or build on your profession with additional training.

Our Plumbing workshops are set up to give you the opportunity to learn while working with real plumbing systems. You’ll find boilers, bathroom fittings and a variety of industry standard tools to help you develop your skills.

Design, Surveying and Planning (Morgan Sindall Academy)

The T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction is a course in partnership with Morgan Sindall, allows you to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of architectural, planning, and quantity surveying aspects of the Built Environment.

You’ll get hands-on training, attend site visits, and complete work placements with industry experts, giving you the skills and experience employers are looking for.

Get Work Ready

Alongside your course you will have the opportunity to work with key employers in the construction industry, including Morgan Sindall, Cardo, Jenner and Persimmon Homes.

Our Industry Liaison Officer will help connect you to meaningful work placements that will give you the confidence and skills needed to enter the Construction and Built Environment industry once you have completed your course.

Read about Jack's work placement success

Learn from the Professionals

All our lecturers have extensive experience in the construction and built environment industry. Whichever trade you choose to study, you will learn from an expert who can pass on industry knowledge and give you practical advice for your future career.

Skills Competitions

You can take part in national and international competitions to showcase your newfound skills. We regularly enter students into World Skills Competitions and consistently offer high standards in the KFE4Skills Competitions.

This year Thomas Wakelin came 2nd for his pipework skills in the Plumbing catagory.

Level 2 Construction explore their careers with Cardo

14 January 2025

EKC Canterbury College recently welcomed Cardo, to deliver an inspiring talk to Level 2 Electrical and Carpentry students.

Professional Workshops

Learn within purpose built workshops, and with industry standard tools and equipment.

Owl Boxes

Carpentry Apprentices made wonderful owl boxes for Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership, who work with the community to conserve and promote the countryside and urban areas of the Stour Valley.

Copper Trees

Plumbing students created and sold Copper Tree decorations as part of their winter Community Week.

Work Placement

Brick student, Kieron had a successful placement working on the new McCarthy Stone development in Canterbury.

Wildwood Kent

Carpentry students had a great time volunteering at Wildwood Trust.

Stretch and Challenge

We ensure learners get the most out of their time at college, and where possible challenge students to stretch their skillset.

Just like Level 2 Brick students, Harry and Lewis, who successfully built an archway which they’re not expected to master until Level 3.

Be Part of Something Bigger

You will take part in social action projects throughout the year. Students lead of a variety of fundraising and volunteering projects as a way to give back to the local community.

In the past projects have included making owl boxes for Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership, organised a Charity Football Match in aid of Leukaemia UK and raising funds for East Kent Hospitals Charity.

Industry Liaison Officer Chloe and Lecturer Darron give giant cheque to Dee Muligan from the NHS.

How you apply for a course at Canterbury College

Step 1 – Find a subject you’re interested in

Explore our courses online and see the wide range of academic opportunities that are available to you.

Step 2 – Apply

Apply through our online application system for the department you are choosing.

Step 3 – Come to an interview

Come along to EKC Canterbury College to meet our team, explore our facilities and see which course is right for you.

Career prospects

Example:

Construction and Building Trades Supervisor

£39,000

Annual pay

Annual pay is per year, based on full-time employment and on the South East region.

Role description

Construction and building trades supervisors oversee operations and directly supervise and coordinate the activities of workers in construction and building trades.

Data powered by LMI for All

“I like that the Carpentry course has a lot of variation, and I can transfer the skills that I have learnt at College when I am working on-site in my industry placement. I have secured future employment at the company I worked for, which has really increased my confidence and knowledge in the sector.”

Owen Chapman

Level 2 Site Carpentry

“The course is really different than being at school and is a lot more hands-on which I really enjoy. We have enough equipment and tools for everyone to use on our course. After passing this year, I am planning on enrolling on the Level 3 course and then going into the workplace.”

Jude Farnham

Level 2 Electrical

“My course is really enjoyable and it’s great to learn a valuable trade. We have all the resources that we need to work efficiently and I have really supportive tutors who offer extra help and support if we need it.”

Joe Clark

Level 2 Plumbing