Construction Technology
Level 5 QQI Award
Duration
This is a Full time one year course, which runs from September to May, 4 days a week
Overview
This course is suitable for students who wish to adjust to a changing construction industry by broadening their knowledge base into energy-efficient building techniques. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of green building technology with an emphasis on energy, insulation, conservation and sustainable living. Practical skills such as solar/photovoltaic panel installation, retrofitting of domestic buildings, green building technology, energy upgrades and installation of insulation are completed in order to build up the student's skill capacity in this area. On completion, graduates are eligible to progress to construction, architecture and engineering programmes at Third Level or to progress directly into employment.
Entry Requirements
One of the following:
- Leaving Certificate (LC Established, LCVP, LCA) or equivalent
- A Full Level 4 QQI Award (or Equivalent)
- For Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) - appropriate experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications are welcome
- For applicants who do not meet the above entry requirements, please contact DFEi
Certification
- Level 5 Award Construction Technology (5M5010)
- Safe Pass Certificate
Special Features
Students will take part in a number of field trips throughout their course of study, to various low energy dwellings, to experience first-hand, the application of renewable energy technologies. An educational workshop for example in Cloughjordan Eco Village will provide students with an opportunity to examine how communities are developing sustainable building strategies.
Specialist Resources include:
- Solar and Photovoltaic Panels
- Water Heat Exchangers
- Exchange Ventilation Unit
- Underfloor Heating System
- Insulation System
Free Autodesk Software Subscription for all students on this course to facilitate assessment work.
Work Experience
Students will be required to undertake a period work placement in an organisation connected to their vocational area during the academic year. Work Experience is mandatory for all of our full-time Level 5 courses. Students are required to source their own work placement but will be assisted in this by the work experience teacher. The work placement is usually for a period of 10 days or a minimum of 60 hours. Students usually find the work experience element of the course to be invaluable and should bear in mind that a successful work placement can sometimes lead to further opportunities.
Additional Information
Assessment
Assessment techniques will be used to assess the knowledge and skills that students will have achieved on successful completion of modules:
- Student Record
- Collection of Work
- Assignments
- Examination (Written)
- Project
- Skills Demonstration
A full major award is granted on passing the relevant eight components. On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a pass, a merit or a distinction grade. See www.qqi.ie for more details
Progression Opportunities
DFEi: Graduates may progress to the Level 6 QQI Advanced Certificate in Architectural Technology and Design at DFEi.
Elsewhere: Graduates are eligible to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to year one of a range of higher certificate and degree programmes, at Universities, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities using their full QQI Level 5 major award. Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. It is the students' responsibility to consult with the relevant HEI for information on the admissions process and any specific entry requirements. Students may also refer to the individual HEI prospectus or may also refer to the QQI FET section of the CAO website. www.cao.ie
Examples of CAO progression opportunities are listed below.
Progression Examples
BSc Sustainable Timber Technology (TU838)
BSc Construction Management (TU833)
BSc Architectural Technology (TU831)
BEng Civil Engineering (TU704)
BEng Building Engineering (TU703)
BEng Engineering (TU805)
BSc Product Design (TU811)
BSc Electrical Services and Energy Management (TU802)
BSc Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics (TU837)
BSc Planning and Environmental Management (TU838)
BSc Geospatial Surveying (TU834)
Technological University Dublin - www.tudubline.ie
BSc Construction Management (CW417)
BSc (Hons) Construction Management (CW438)
BEng Civil Engineering (CW478)
Institute of Technology Carlow - ww.itcarlow.ie
BSc Building Surveying (DK730)
BSc Architectural Technology (DK731)
BSc Construction Management (DK732)
BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (DK830)
BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology (DK831)
BSc (Hons) Construction Management (DK832)
Dundalk Institute of Technology - www.dkit.ie
BEng Engineering (LC251)
BSc Civil Engineering Management (LC252)
BSc Construction Management (LC241)
BSc Property Valuation and Management (LC242)
Limerick Institute of Technology - www.lit.ie
BSc Construction Management and Engineering (WD025)
BSc Architectural Technology (WD094)
Bachelor of Architecture (WD144)
Waterford Institute of Technology - www.wit.ie
Career Paths
Graduates can obtain employment in both the construction and the renewable energy fields completing roles in wind energy, solar power and energy efficiency
