NPA in Bricklaying SCQF 5

NPA (National Progression Award) - South Lanarkshire College

Course overview

Course Overview: The NPA Level 5 in Bricklaying course is designed to provide students with the essential skills and knowledge required to pursue a career in bricklaying and the construction industry. This qualification is ideal for those who aspire to work as bricklayers, construction operatives, or in related roles within the built environment sector.

Students will build on their skills developed in our Level 4 Introduction to construction course, or prior work based experience.

Course description

Fees, finance and funding

Fees for full time is £1008

This course is eligible for Bursary.

Please note, fees are subject to change, please double-check this when enrolling in your course

If you are unsuccessful in your Bursary application, you may be liable for the full cost of course

For more information please visit the finance pages - Fees, finance and funding options.

Who is the course for?

Aspiring Bricklayers: Individuals who wish to develop a career in bricklaying and related fields.
Career Changers: Those looking to transition into the construction industry from other sectors.
School Leavers: Recent graduates who have a strong interest in construction and meet the entry requirements.

Next step course options

NC Built Environment

Apprenticeships

How will I be assessed?

Assessment of this award will be ongoing through a combination of practical work and knowledge assessments.

Why should I choose this course?

Industry-Relevant Skills: Gain practical skills and knowledge that are directly applicable to the construction industry.
Experienced Faculty: Learn from experienced professionals with extensive industry expertise.
Career Support: Benefit from career guidance and support to help you achieve your professional goals.

What are the interview arrangements?

No interview required.

Intro to the course:

Students will build on their skills developed in our Level 4 Introduction to construction course, or prior work based experience.

Other information:

Full time course: This course will run for 3 days per week over 21 Weeks from January 2026

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements:

Introduction to Construction SCQF 4 or Prior work place experience
Internal Reference (Current student of SLC)
Core Skills Assessment (New student to SLC)

Learning outcome

Course Content: Throughout the course, students will engage with a variety of subjects that cover both theoretical and practical aspects of bricklaying. Key areas of study include:

General Workplace Health, Safety, and Welfare: Understanding the importance of health and safety practices in the construction industry.
Productive Work Practices: Learning efficient and effective work practices to enhance productivity on construction sites.
Bricklaying Tasks: Developing skills in various bricklaying tasks, including:
- Half-brick walling
- One-brick walling
- Cavity walling
- Block walling
- Simple arch construction
- Simple decorative brickwork

In addition to trade-specific skills, students will also develop their industry-related core skills, such as:

Problem Solving and Planning: Enhancing abilities to plan and solve problems effectively in a construction context.
Organisational and Communication Skills: Developing skills to manage resources and communicate effectively on construction projects.