Construction Bootcamps

The Focus Training Group is delivering a combined Electrical and Plumbing Skills Bootcamp in Plymouth, designed to support adults looking to gain practical trade skills and progress into employment or an apprenticeship within the construction and building services sector.

This structured programme includes specialist trade training followed by employability skills to support learners into the next stage of their career.

This Skills Bootcamp is suitable for individuals who:

• are aged 19 or over
• are unemployed, returning to work, or looking to upskill
• are interested in progressing into the electrical or plumbing industry

You may be eligible to apply for a Skills Bootcamp if you:

• have the right to work in the UK
• live in Devon, Plymouth or Torbay

Electrical Skills Training:

Dates: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 February 2026
Days: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Plumbing Skills Training:

Dates: 16, 17, 20, 23, 24 and 27 February 2026
Days: Monday, Tuesday and Friday

Employability Skills (All Learners):

Dates: 2 and 3 March 2026

This final stage supports learners with

• Employability skills
• CV development
• Interview preparation
• Understanding progression routes into work or apprenticeships

To register your interest for future courses, click below.

The Focus Training Group is delivering a Construction Skills Bootcamp in Exeter, designed to support adults looking to gain practical trade skills and progress into employment or an apprenticeship within the construction and building services sector.

This structured programme includes specialist trade training followed by employability skills to support learners into the next stage of their career.

Gain essential skills and certifications to get site-ready, including

• Highfield L1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment
• CITB CSCS Test
• Emergency First Aid Training
• Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS)
• Manual Handling and Fire Safety
• COSHH Awareness & PPE
• Toolbox Talks and Safety Culture
• Safe Use of Hand and Power Tools
• Working at Height and Confined Space Awareness (knowledge only)
• Employability Skills – CVs, interviews, workplace behaviour

This Skills Bootcamp is suitable for individuals who

• Are aged 19 or over
• Are unemployed, returning to work, or looking to upskill
• Are interested in progressing into the construction industry

You may be eligible to apply for a Skills Bootcamp if you

• Have the right to work in the UK
• Live in Devon, Plymouth or Torbay

To register your interest for future Skills Bootcamps, click below.

This 10-day Construction Skills Bootcamp gives you the essential skills to start work in the construction industry. You will take part in practical training and learn health and safety knowledge, gaining hands-on experience across key trades such as bricklaying, carpentry, plastering and painting and decorating.

The course helps you develop the core competencies needed on site, building your confidence and capability in a supportive training environment. Alongside practical activities, you will complete the NOCN Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment, preparing you for safe working practices.

On the final day, you will sit the CSCS Health, Safety and Environment Test. If you successfully complete both the qualification and the test, you can apply for a CSCS Labourer Card, which is an important step towards employment in the construction sector.

Click below to find out more and register your interest.

This Level 2 Skills Bootcamp in Construction Multiskills will provide you with an introduction to the practical skills in a range of trade occupations within the construction industry. Its is aimed at adults who are:

• Currently employed in construction, who want to gain a broad range of trade skills to be able to take on additional duties or a new role for the employer,
• Currently not in work and looking to gain skills to enable them to enter employment in the construction industry, or;
• Self-employed and providing DIY services, looking to increase customer base and services you can provide.

This part time programme focuses on developing practical skills for direct application to the construction workplace and will be delivered one day a week learning with our subject specialist lecturer. As part of your studies, you will follow and complete projects that will provide you with a portfolio of work and confidence to move on or up in the construction industry.

The programme will cover the following practical tasks:

Carpentry – we will teach you how to use basic hand tools safely, then apply those skills for sawing straight and chiselling. We will teach you how to measure and mark out accurately, then cut, and assessable a small stud wall, then position a lining in it, before cutting and fitting an architrave

Bricklaying – you will learn about bonding in brickwork and the reason for this, then build a straight wall in half bond, applying a half round finish

You will then build a corner and run a stretcher bond wall off this then apply a half round finish. You will have the opportunity to build a blockwork corner positioning wall tie, then form a brickwork cavity.

Paving and Slabbing – you will learn how to prepare a base for slabbing and paving as well as learn patterns and installation techniques.

Decorating – you will learn how to prepare and apply wallpaper to a wall with different materials and patterns.

Plastering – you will learn to apply multi finish plaster in 2 coats to a wall, the size of the area will depend on your ability and confidence.

Tiling – you will learn how to set out and apply tiles to walls including decorative patterns.

(The order of the subjects may change)

Each week will be broken down into theoretical input and practical skills training. Practical training will be provided for each area to develop the specific skills required to compete tasks and improve to a professional standard.

For more information please contact one of our Skills Bootcamp Advisers:
Email: skillsbootcamps@exe-coll.ac.uk
Call: 01392 400800

Entry Requirements

Applicants for this course need to be either:

• Employed – to take on a new role or duties in your current workplace. Your employer will be asked to pay a contribution (dependent on the size of the organisation),
• Unemployed – committed to actively seeking employment opportunities independently during the course and gaining employment in the sector,
• Self-employed – You currently have a self employed business, and are using the course to help grow your business and commit to provide evidence that you have acquired new clients and provide additional services, after the course has finished.

To apply you will need to meet the following criteria:

• You were aged 19 on or before 31st August 2025
• You have the right to work in the UK.
• You have lived in the UK or EU/EAA for the last 3 years or have a residency status that makes you exempt from this rule.
• English skills including written/spoken required with Level 1 being the minimum.
• You have not completed another Skills Bootcamp in this current financial year.
• You are committed to participating in delivery sessions for 10 weeks.
• This course is open to aged 19+ residents of Devon.

All applicants will be assessed at interview.

Working with industry experts, this Heritage Construction Skills Bootcamp has been specifically designed for builders and tradespeople already working in the construction sector. This is a unique professional development opportunity to upskill and meet local demand.

Bringing together specialist from across the UK, this intensive bootcamp has been carefully crafted in response to local research. You will learn about the repair and maintenance of pre 1919 buildings, whilst developing practical skills in stonemasonry repair, lime plastering and sash window repair.

Click below to register your interest for future courses.

This Pathway to Bricklaying Skills Bootcamp introduces learners to the principles of retrofit within bricklaying and construction. It covers sustainable building practices, the role of retrofit in improving energy efficiency, and the practical considerations for bricklayers in modern construction projects. Learners will also develop essential health and safety knowledge, employability skills, and prepare for their CSCS card, supporting progression into further training or employment in the bricklaying and wider construction sector.

Click below to register your interest for future courses.

This Pathway to Electrical Skills Bootcamp provides learners with an introduction to renewable technologies and sustainable energy, alongside essential construction knowledge. It covers the principles of sustainability, workplace health and safety, and employability skills needed to succeed in the sector. The programme also includes preparation for the CSCS card, helping learners gain the qualifications and confidence required to progress into employment or further training in construction and related trades.

Click below to register your interest for future courses.

This Pathway to Plumbing Skills Bootcamp provides learners with an introduction to renewable technologies and sustainable energy, alongside essential construction knowledge. It covers the principles of sustainability, workplace health and safety, and employability skills needed to succeed in the sector. The programme also includes preparation for the CSCS card, helping learners gain the qualifications and confidence required to progress into employment or further training in construction and related trades.

Click below to register your interest for future courses.

The 12 week Smart Technology Technician programme will build the technical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to start your career in IT or digital.

This will include:

• Smart Technologies
• Electrical Principles
• Technical and Architectural Drawings and Documentation
• Networking
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Project Management.

Click below to register your interest for future courses.

The Welding Skills Bootcamp will provide you with the knowledge and practical skills to get started in a career in welding or which may be used to develop new business opportunities. This Skills Bootcamp will include:

• a basic introduction to welding and the different types of welding
• an introduction to advanced welding and the different typesof advanced welding
• welding techniques using augmented welding – MMA and MIG welders
• preparing and using MMA welders
• preparing and using MIG welders

Click below to register your interest for future courses.