NOCN · RQF Level 1
NOCN Level 1 Certificate in Basic Construction Skills
You don’t just earn this. You learn to use it, one-to-one, on your own real work.
- LevelRQF Level 1
- Total credits13
- Guided learning115 hours
- Units in this qualification28
Awarded by NOCN · on the Ofqual register
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See how this course maps onto your role
Ten quick questions, one per Future Fluency, asked against this qualification rather than a generic one.
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What you’ll learn
What each unit actually teaches you to do
Qualification Number 600/6570/9 Total Qualification Time (TQT) 130 Credits 13 Minimum Age 16 Level Level 1 Registration Start Date 1/9/2012 Current Tariff £82.00 The NOCN Level 1 Award and Certificate in Basic Construction Skills is designed to offer an introduction to the construction industry and will prepare learners to progress to higher level related qualifications in the construction sector. These qualifications are designed for those seeking an introductory route into the construction industry. They can be used to introduce learners to the initial skills and knowledge needed to enter the construction sector and will provide learners with the basic skills and knowledge and understanding required by the construction industry. Learners will gain the initial skills, knowledge and understanding required to enter the construction sector and meet the requirements of the industry.
These are the units NOCN registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated, and every one you earn is yours to keep.
Assemble Units for InteriorsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Interpret information on the assembly of units for interiors, including plans, drawings, and manufacturer's instructions
- Prepare and assemble components to specification, using appropriate tools and techniques to ensure accuracy and stability
- Finish and check the assembly of the unit, ensuring all parts are securely fastened and the unit is functioning correctly
- Understand the ways of working that ensure their own and other's safety, including the safe use of tools and equipment and the handling of materials
Basic Tiling SkillsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Plan for a tiling project, including measuring the area, calculating the number of tiles required, and selecting appropriate materials.
- Use setting out and fixing techniques to ensure tiles are correctly positioned and securely attached.
- Use tile cutting techniques to create tiles of the required size and shape.
- Use grouting techniques to fill the gaps between tiles and create a waterproof seal.
- Leave the work area and tools in a clean and safe state, disposing of waste materials appropriately.
Basic Tiling: Equipment and MaterialsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know about the different types of tools and equipment used for floor and wall tiling and their safe operation.
- Know about the relevant materials used in tiling, including adhesives, grouts, and sealants, and their appropriate applications.
- Know about the different types of background surfaces suitable for tiling and how to prepare them correctly.
- Know about the purpose and correct usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used for basic tiling activities.
Carpentry Hand SkillsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know about the different types of hand tools used in carpentry and their specific applications.
- Demonstrate the ability to accurately use face and edge marks for carpentry tasks.
- Demonstrate the ability to saw timber accurately to a marked line.
- Demonstrate the ability to plane timber to achieve a smooth and even surface.
- Demonstrate the ability to use a chisel safely and effectively for various carpentry tasks.
Communication Skills in Preparing for WorkReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Identify a range of career or work options, considering personal skills and interests.
- Complete applications for work or training opportunities, presenting information accurately and effectively.
- Present oneself effectively at an interview, demonstrating appropriate communication and interpersonal skills.
- Plan for future work or training, setting realistic goals and identifying necessary steps.
Constructing a Half Brick Wall using Bricklaying SkillsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Select and use hand tools and equipment required for constructing half brick wide walls safely and effectively
- Use skills and techniques required to construct half brick wide walls to a specified standard
- Understand the purpose of planning, organising and setting out a workstation efficiently for constructing half brick wide walls
- Identify materials used in bricklaying and their properties
- Construct a half brick wall in stretcher bond according to given instructions and specifications
Constructing a One Brick Wide Wall using Bricklaying SkillsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Select and use hand tools and equipment required for constructing one brick wide walls safely and effectively
- Use skills and techniques required to construct one brick wide walls to a specified standard
- Understand the purpose of planning, organising and setting out a workstation efficiently for constructing one brick wide walls
- Identify materials used in bricklaying and their properties
- Construct a one brick wide wall according to given instructions and specifications
Developing Building Maintenance SkillsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know the hand tools used in building maintenance processes and their applications.
- Know the materials used in building maintenance processes and their properties.
- Know the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in building maintenance processes and the reasons for their use.
- Apply safe working practices to perform building maintenance tasks.
- Work responsibly with others in a building maintenance environment.
- Seek and respond to guidance when working as part of a team carrying out building maintenance.
Developing Construction Drawing SkillsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know the basic equipment used to produce construction drawings, including their purpose and care.
- Prepare a sheet of drawing paper for producing a construction drawing.
- Produce a basic construction drawing using appropriate equipment and techniques.
- Work responsibly with others in a construction drawing environment.
- Seek and respond to guidance when working as part of a team to produce construction drawings.
Developing Construction Painting SkillsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know the hand tools and equipment used in basic painting tasks and their correct application.
- Know the materials used in basic painting tasks, including different types of paint and their properties.
- Know the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in basic painting tasks and the reasons for using each item.
- Apply safe working practices to paint a flat wall area, including preparation and application techniques.
- Work responsibly with others in a construction painting environment.
- Seek and respond to guidance when working as part of a team carrying out construction painting tasks.
Developing Plumbing SkillsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know the hand tools used in basic plumbing processes and their applications
- Know the materials and components used in basic plumbing processes and their properties
- Know the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in basic plumbing processes and how to use it correctly
- Apply safe working practices to perform plumbing operations, adhering to health and safety regulations
- Work responsibly with others in a team environment, demonstrating effective communication and cooperation
- Seek and respond to guidance when working as part of a team, demonstrating a willingness to learn and improve
Fitting Units for InteriorsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Interpret information on the fitting of interior units, including plans, drawings, and manufacturer's instructions
- Fix and fit furniture components in location, using appropriate tools and techniques to ensure a secure and accurate fit
- Check the final fitting of an interior unit, ensuring it is level, aligned, and functioning correctly
- Understand the ways of working that ensure their own and other's safety, including manual handling techniques and the use of personal protective equipment
Fix and Fit Work SurfacesReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Interpret information for fixing and fitting work surfaces, including plans, drawings, and specifications
- Check that the work area is ready for positioning the work surface(s), ensuring it is clean, level, and free from obstructions
- Secure the work surface(s) in position to a given standard, using appropriate tools and techniques
- Understand the ways of working that ensure their own and other's safety, including risk assessments and safe handling procedures
Health and Safety in a Practical EnvironmentReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Demonstrate awareness of relevant health and safety requirements, procedures and equipment in a practical environment
- Recognise potential risks in a practical environment and manage them by following safe working practices
Know how to Produce Basic Woodworking JointsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Select and use appropriate hand tools to produce basic woodworking joints accurately and safely
- Select suitable materials for producing basic woodworking joints, considering their properties and application
- Store materials used to produce basic woodworking joints correctly, preventing damage and waste
- Mark out accurately to produce basic woodworking joints, ensuring precise dimensions and alignment
- Form basic woodworking joints using appropriate techniques and tools, achieving strong and durable connections
Measure: Time and TemperatureReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Understand how times are written in different formats, including 12-hour and 24-hour clocks
- Understand how dates are written in different formats, including day/month/year and month/day/year
- Know the relationship between different units of time, such as seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years
- Calculate using time, including adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing time intervals
- Read temperatures from various measuring instruments, such as thermometers
- Compare temperatures, determining which is higher or lower
- Measure temperature accurately using appropriate measuring instruments
Plastering TechniquesReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know about the different types of tools and equipment used in plastering, and their specific functions
- Know about the different types of materials used in plastering, including their properties and applications
- Know about the different types of backgrounds that can receive plaster, and how to prepare them
- Plan and prepare for plastering, including selecting appropriate tools, materials and techniques
- Know about different floating techniques used in plastering, and their purposes
- Apply plaster to a surface, achieving a smooth and even finish
Preparing Ceilings and Walls for DecorationReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Safely and effectively remove a decorative covering from a ceiling or wall area, such as wallpaper or paint
- Prepare a ceiling or wall for decoration, ensuring it is clean, smooth and ready to receive a new covering
- Maintain tools and the working area, keeping them clean, organised and safe throughout the preparation process
Produce specialist decorative finishesReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Produce quality finish ground coats for painted decorative work, ensuring a smooth and even surface
- Produce broken colour effects using acrylic and oil-based scumbles, demonstrating a range of techniques
- Apply single colour stencils accurately and neatly to a prepared surface
Project in SustainabilityReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Plan a project to promote sustainability within a chosen environment, including identifying objectives and resources.
- Undertake a sustainability project, implementing the planned activities and monitoring progress.
- Present the results of a sustainability project, communicating findings and recommendations effectively.
- Reflect on the sustainability project, evaluating its success and identifying areas for improvement.
Starting Work in ConstructionReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know about different types of career opportunities available in the construction industry.
- Know about different types of organisation offering career opportunities in the construction industry.
- Understand how career choices can impact upon an individual’s lifestyle.
- Make informed career choices based on available information.
- Work responsibly with others in a construction environment.
- Seek and respond to guidance when working as part of a team in a construction setting.
Understanding Length, Weight and CapacityReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Understand metric units of measurement, including length, weight and capacity.
- Use appropriate units for measurement in practical tasks.
- Use instruments for measurement accurately and safely.
- Read scales on measuring instruments to determine accurate measurements.
Use of Tools and Equipment for BricklayingReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know commonly used materials in the workshop and their appropriate applications
- Stack and store materials safely and efficiently, following workplace procedures
- Use access equipment safely and correctly, adhering to health and safety guidelines
- Identify bricklaying tools and equipment and their specific uses
- Use a brick trowel effectively for spreading mortar and laying bricks
- Re-point an area of brickwork to a satisfactory standard
- Measure, cut and level bricks accurately using appropriate tools and techniques
Using Painting Skills for Interior Ceilings and WallsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Follow good practice in preparing the work area, ensuring it is safe and organised
- Follow good practice in maintaining the work area, keeping it clean and tidy throughout the task
- Select, use and maintain tools and equipment required for painting interior ceilings and walls
- Prepare a surface for painting, ensuring it is clean, smooth and ready to receive paint
- Paint a selected surface or area, applying paint evenly and achieving a professional finish
- Maintain the work area and equipment, cleaning and storing them appropriately after use
Using Plastering Skills - Floating Coat to an Attached PierReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know the tools and equipment used in plastering, including their purpose and maintenance
- Prepare the work area for plastering, ensuring it is clean, dry, and properly protected
- Fix rules or angle beads to corners, ensuring they are level and securely attached
- Apply a floating coat to the wall, achieving a smooth and even surface
- Apply a finishing coat to the wall, creating a professional and aesthetically pleasing finish
Using Plastering Skills - Plastering to a Window RevealReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know the tools and equipment used in plastering and their specific applications
- Prepare the work area for plastering activities, ensuring safety and efficiency
- Fix rules or angle beads accurately to corners to provide a straight and level edge
- Apply a floating coat to the wall, achieving the correct thickness and consistency
- Apply a finishing coat of plaster to a satisfactory standard
Using and Maintaining Woodworking ToolsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Know about a range of manual woodworking tools and their specific uses in woodworking applications.
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain woodworking tools in good working order, including sharpening and cleaning.
- Know about a range of electrical woodworking tools and their specific uses in woodworking applications.
- Demonstrate the ability to store woodworking tools and materials safely and securely.
Wallpapering SkillsReal unit · NOCN
What you'll be able to do
- Select appropriate tools and materials for a given wallpapering task
- Plan and prepare the area for a wallpapering task, taking into account safety considerations
- Apply wallpaper to a surface, ensuring a professional finish
- Maintain wallpapering tools in good working order and maintain a clean and safe working area
The honest bit
You’ve started things before
Most courses were built for a room full of people who aren’t you. A cohort moves on whether or not your week allowed it, and by the third week the thing you’re behind on becomes the reason you stop opening it.
There’s no cohort here, and no timetable to fall behind. Before anything starts, Zavmo asks when you’re sharpest and how long you can realistically sit down for, then builds the sessions around those answers. A bad fortnight changes your pace. It doesn’t put you behind.
And you only pay once you start learning. Searching and planning are free, and you can cancel any time — so the cost of finding out is an afternoon, not a year.
Your passport
Every credit is a stamp you keep
Level 1 credits are regulated. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you’ve earned and what’s next.
Each stamp is a real unit registered against this qualification.
Who’d teach you this
The Evidence Evaluator
Assessor
Helps you show what you can actually do, gathering the evidence that proves it as you learn.
Meet all twelve tutorsWhere this connects
Where these credits take you
A qualification is never a dead end here. See the jobs its credits open, the national occupational standards its units map to, and the future skills they quietly build.
Where this can lead
Building Services Coordinator
Your journey in building services starts here with a solid foundation. With dedication, continuous learning, and a proactive approach, you can build a truly impactful and rewarding career, shaping the physical environments that enable businesses to thrive. It's a field that's always in demand and constantly evolving.
See the whole journey →Showing 6 roles, drawn from 11 job records mapped to this qualification.
How you’ll actually learn this
One-to-one, on your own real work
A qualification is usually something done to you: sit the class, sit the exam, hope it sticks. Here it’s the opposite. You learn it one-to-one with a companion, on your own real work, and you keep going until you can use it, not just recall it.
Applied to your work in any of these jobs
This unit equips learners to interpret assembly instructions, prepare and assemble interior unit components to specification, and complete finishing checks. Learners will ensure assemblies are secure and functional while adhering to safe working practices.
- Remember
- Understand
- Apply
- Analyse
- Evaluate
- Create
Built for NOCN Level 1 Certificate in Basic Construction Skills
28 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by NOCN.
- Assemble Units for Interiors
- Basic Tiling Skills
- Basic Tiling: Equipment and Materials
- Carpentry Hand Skills
- Communication Skills in Preparing for Work
- Constructing a Half Brick Wall using Bricklaying Skills
and 22 more in the full unit list below.
One to one, not one to many
No two people run this the same way
A course is written once and handed to everyone. This is assembled around you, and keeps changing as it learns you. Five things it reads, and what each one changes.
- Your actual work Every unit is taught against a live piece of your own work, not a worked example from a textbook.
- What you already know The first conversation finds your starting point, so you skip what you can already do and spend the time on what you cannot.
- The conditions you learn under Not a learning-styles quiz. The evidence does not support those. The dimensions the research does back, read once and used to shape the plan.
- How far you got last time It picks up mid-thought. The tutor knows what you said, what you struggled with, and what it asked you to try.
- Which tutor suits the moment Twelve of them, each for a different kind of thinking. The one who walks you through a first idea is not the one who stress-tests it.
See how you learn, free. Eight questions, no sign-up. A directional taster; the diagnostic inside Zavmo goes deeper and keeps adapting.
Why it sticks
Most courses stop at remembering
There’s a well-known ladder of how deeply you learn something, called Bloom’s Taxonomy. Most courses get you up the first two rungs: you remember some facts, you pass a test, you forget it. Real skill lives at the top. Judging, deciding, creating. And this isn’t a generic ladder: every rung has a named Zavmo tutor who walks you up it.
- 6CreateThe Creative Catalyst
- 5EvaluateThe Evidence Evaluator
- 4AnalyseThe Analyst
- 3ApplyThe Coach
- 2UnderstandThe Connector
- 1RememberThe Builder
Where most courses leave you Where Zavmo takes you
The value
Why the companion is worth £70 a month
You’re not paying for the units. They’re regulated, and the same wherever you earn them. You’re paying for the one thing that decides whether you actually get there: a companion that makes them stick, on your real work.
That is one-to-one on this qualification, every day, on the work you already do, for £70 a month. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it. Billed monthly, cancel any time and billing stops.
Earned on your own work, taught to the top.
Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it.
Build my plan, freeNo card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.