Construction Pathways A-M-V


Construction Pathways

Construction Pathways focuses on the construction processes and industry practices required to create, maintain and repair the built environment in an increasingly technological and complex world. Students develop knowledge, understanding and skills associated with traditional and contemporary tools, and materials used by the Australian building and construction industry to create structures. They examine the challenges facing the construction industry in adapting to new technology, building systems, products and practices, and explore future options.

Rationale

Construction Pathways focuses on the construction processes and industry practices required to create, maintain and repair the built environment in an increasingly technological and complex world. Students develop knowledge, understanding and skills associated with traditional and contemporary tools, and materials used by the Australian building and construction industry to create structures. They examine the challenges facing the construction industry in adapting to new technology, building systems, products and practices, and explore future options.

Key concepts and ideas in Construction Pathways include the nature of building and construction enterprises and occupations, safety, personal and interpersonal skills in building and construction workplaces, standard industry processes and practices, innovation and future trends in construction, and the sustainability of construction processes. The course provides an opportunity to explore the diverse range of occupations that exist across the construction industry.

Through both individual and collaborative learning experiences, students learn to meet employer expectations and establish productive and appropriate work habits. Participating in construction projects promotes development of adaptable, competent, self-motivated individuals who consider safety and work collaboratively with colleagues to solve problems and complete practical work according to the client brief.

By undertaking construction projects, students develop transferable skills relevant to a range of domestic and commercial applications, and future employment opportunities. They understand industry practices, interpret specifications, including information and drawings, safely demonstrate fundamental construction skills and apply skills and procedures with tools and equipment, and how to approach new tools and processes safely. Students build skills in communicating orally, and in written and graphical modes. They organise, calculate and plan construction processes and evaluate the structures they create using predefined specifications.

The course provides opportunities to complete VET qualifications or a Statement of Attainment from the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package (CPC). Students may elect to develop relevant technical, vocational and interpersonal competencies suitable for employment and further training in the construction industry. It also provides for the development of employability skills such as communication and teamwork which are transferable to other industry areas. Through the study of this subject, students will gain experiences that can be applied in a range of contexts, including work, study and recreation that will assist them to make informed choices.

Framework and Achievement Standards

The Construction Pathways course is written under the BSSS INDUSTRY AND SERVICES Framework

Achievement Standards for INDUSTRY AND SERVICES courses can be found within the Framework.

Courses written under this framework provide students with knowledge, understanding and skills relating to areas of work inside the industry & services domains. In broad terms, students learn about industry practices, processes, procedures and concepts such as technical information, materials, sustainability, equipment and work health & safety (WHS). Students learn to analyse, problem solve, make decisions and develop interpersonal and intrapersonal skills suitable for employment and further training.

Units

Industry Practices

In this unit, students investigate industry practices in construction used in residential and commercial contexts. They examine and implement the practices that are used to manage construction enterprises, workplace health and safety, employee personal and interpersonal skills and customer expectations to safely change raw materials into structures. Students demonstrate Work Health and Safety practices in the handling of equipment, materials and in working with others.


Construction Processes

This unit focuses on construction processes that combine construction skills and procedures to safely construct buildings and other structures to specifications using tools, digital tools, equipment and materials. Students interpret plans and specifications, using accurate measurements and calculations. They develop skills in the selection and use of materials, equipment and techniques to undertake construction projects. Students develop skills in collaboration, communication and reflection, as they work individually and with others to plan and complete projects.


Innovations in Construction

In this unit, students consider a range of emerging and future approaches to materials, techniques and processes in construction, locally, nationally and globally. They consider social, environmental and technological reasons for adopting innovative construction processes and materials. Students gain an understanding of a range of emerging and innovative methods to solve problems in these construction contexts. They examine the safety, sustainability and ethical considerations raised by emerging and future construction settings.


Construction Project

Students demonstrate and document industry practices and construction processes to create projects to specifications. Students apply a range of cognitive, communication, collaboration, technical and practical skills in their project. They apply knowledge, skills and understanding of industry practices and construction processes to solve problems and find solutions in their construction projects. Students are given specifications, including drawings and technical information, to complete projects.


Independent Study

An Independent Study unit has an important place in senior secondary courses. It is a valuable pedagogical approach that empowers students to make decisions about their own learning. An Independent Study unit can be proposed by an individual student for their own independent study, and negotiated with their teacher. The program of learning for an Independent Study unit must meet the unit goals and content descriptions as they appear in the course. Students must have studied at least THREE standard 1.0 units from this course.

Course Document