Express your creativity with quality tools

Whatever trade you're looking to grow your skills in, we have the latest equipment to get you there. There are hundreds of tools from trusted brands and stockrooms packed with materials, so you're never short of options when working on projects.

A modern and innovative construction hub

The Construction Skills Centre is one of the newer buildings at the Witney campus. Over two floors, students can practice key skills in plumbing, electrical work, carpentry and joinery in state-of-the-art surroundings.

Gain the practical qualities you need to become a skilled trades professional.

Work within a top class facility with specialist tutors where at every turn, you will find new tools to master and new challenges to overcome, helping to build a wealth of experience.

Take pride in watching your creative ideas take shape and turn into defined projects. This could be fitting a bathroom from scratch, drawing and scaling plans for a cabinet or wiring complex circuitry to power a range of different lighting scenarios.

Our Construction courses are on-your-feet, hands-on learning where there is freedom to get stuck into your work and support from tutors when you need it.

There are also work experience opportunities and visits outside of college, including the National Self Build & Renovation Centre, so you can tap into trending developments in the industry.

Staff Profile: Ruth Weller

Staff Profile: Ruth Weller

Before starting life at Abingdon & Witney College, Ruth went to Burford Secondary School where she achieved all her GCSEs with a grade C and above.

She then joined the College's Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery course; her teachers were clearly impressed, as she was offered the opportunity to do a part-time technician role alongside her Level 2 and once that was achieved, was offered the job full-time.

"The best part about my job and teaching at the College is getting to work with so many different students and watching them grow and develop in so many ways.

I believe that two of the most important benefits students get are the opportunity to enhance their skill levels within the chosen course, and the fact that this then helps them to develop a further level of confidence in themselves.

College also helps prepare students for their life after they finish here, offering careers advice and guidance and the opportunity to get experience in a workplace. This is really important, as it shows them what life will be like outside of education."

Staff Profile: Gerry Kane

Staff Profile: Gerry Kane

Gerry joined the Army in communications after leaving school, in the Royal Logistics Corp where he served for eight years. His career then turned to traditional joinery and all elements of site work.

Gerry came to the College and joined the Construction teaching staff, just as the Construction Skills Centre was being built and was part of the team of staff and students who designed the workshops.

He is qualified at Level 3 in Bench Joinery and Site Carpentry, and in his spare time is a volunteer swim coach and an Assistant Scout Leader.

"I've always focused on delivering quality training and making sure people have the right skills they need, practical and personal. I did some teaching in the Army and this feels like it naturally led me to where I am now.

It's so rewarding at the end of the year to see how far learners have come and what they have achieved. I often bump into previous students a few years down the line, who have progressed to amazing things like becoming site managers. You get a great feeling from seeing that.

Our students get important life and employability skills, so whether they continue in the industry or not they are prepared for careers and have a practical trade to fall back on."

Did you know?

Jacob

Previous school:
Chipping Norton School


The course I'm studying feels like what a career would be like, challenging me and providing space for me to work in.

I remember turning up on the first day and I thought wow! The size of the construction building, the equipment we get to use – it's all helping me to reach my goal, which is to have my own workshop, making bespoke designs for customers.

Sionainne

Previous school:
Wood Green School


I find that it never gets boring in the Skills Centre, learning joinery techniques and perfecting new skills - that's what I like most about the course, being in the amazing facilities.

The atmosphere is very relaxed here. You get freedom in the lessons and the fact that you're treated like an adult brings out the best in me. And because we are studying a specific subject that we’ve chosen, we aren’t doing anything that we don’t want to do!

I have a interest in woodwork and when I have completed the course, I would like to join the British Army Royal Engineers as a carpenter.

John

Previous school:
Burford School


What I like most about college life is the space we’re given to do our own thing. I can create my own designs, turning my ideas into reality, without being boxed into doing the same as everyone else.

I’m going down the carpentry route as I wanted to learn practical skill and turn that into a career. The College is close to me and in the construction centre I can use high-quality tools and learn everything I need to set me up for a job after college, so this was definitely the best choice for me.

Rusher

Previous school:
Henry Box School


I had already heard about the great reputation of the College and the plumbing course. It’s a big campus and you can tell the Skills Centre we're learning in is new with modern tools and equipment.

The courses are very different to those at school. It’s much more hands-on and there's a lot more freedom. The tutors are easy to talk to and know their stuff.

This course is putting me on the right path to want I eventually want to do, which is to get an apprenticeship in plumbing.

Your future career

Bench/Architectural Joiner

Carpenter

Electrician

Furniture Maker

Heating Engineer

Plumber

Site Manager

Construction Course Listings

Awareness in Environmental Technologies

Part Time XSAU015P

This course will give you a basic understanding of the environmental issues, risks, impacts and opportunites available using modern technologies....

24th Feb 2023 - 24th Feb 2023

Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Awareness in Environmental Technologies

Part Time XSAU018P

This course will give you a basic understanding of the environmental issues, risks, impacts and opportunites available using modern technologies....

17th Mar 2023 - 17th Mar 2023

Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Awareness in Environmental Technologies

Part Time XSAU019P

This course will give you a basic understanding of the environmental issues, risks, impacts and opportunites available using modern technologies....

24th Mar 2023 - 24th Mar 2023

Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Awareness in Environmental Technologies

Part Time XSAU020P

This course will give you a basic understanding of the environmental issues, risks, impacts and opportunites available using modern technologies....

31st Mar 2023 - 31st Mar 2023

Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Bench Joinery level 2

School Leaver MFWN100P

This course is hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Bench Joinery Level 2

School Leaver MFAV201P

This course is hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Bench Joinery Level 3

School Leaver MFWU100P

This one year course is designed to give you the advanced skills, techniques and understanding of the trade needed to be successful in this profession. These specialist skills will improve your employability prospects with a specialist site carpentry...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Carpentry Level 1

School Leaver MFAU150P

Hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a great place to...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Carpentry Level 1

School Leaver MFWM115P

Hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a great place to...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Electrical Level 1

School Leaver MFWM101P

Hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a great place to...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Electrical Level 1

School Leaver MFAU050P

Hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a great place to...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Electrical Level 2

School Leaver MFWN104P

This course is hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Electrical Level 2

School Leaver MFAV202P

This course is hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Electrical Level 3

School Leaver MFWT100P

This course is for learners who wish to work as electricians in the building services industry and is a stepping stone to becoming a full qualified electrician. It provides the underpinning knowledge that is needed for the level 3 NVQ and the journey...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Foundation Gas Course

Part Time XSBS002P

This intensive course is designed to support candidates who have no previous experience in the gas industry to achieve Gas Safe registration. The course includes both practical and theory training in all areas of domestic gas installations and associ...

3rd Oct 2023 - 25th Jul 2024

Tuesday - Thursday

Construction

Bicester Construction Skills Centre

View course details
Introduction To Air Source Heat Pumps

Part Time XSAU003P

The course will give you a basic introduction into heat pumps and their place within the range of renewable technologies increasingly employed to combat environmental challenges....

24th Mar 2023 - 24th Mar 2023

Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Introduction To Air Source Heat Pumps

Part Time XSAU017P

The course will give you a basic introduction into heat pumps and their place within the range of renewable technologies increasingly employed to combat environmental challenges....

10th Mar 2023 - 10th Mar 2023

Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Introduction To Air Source Heat Pumps

Part Time XSAU001P

The course will give you a basic introduction into heat pumps and their place within the range of renewable technologies increasingly employed to combat environmental challenges....

31st Mar 2023 - 31st Mar 2023

Monday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Introduction to Domestic Electrical Repairs

Part Time MSWU103P

An opportunity to get hands-on experience using the tools of the trade. Understand and practise how to work safely and skilfully. Start from the very basics and develop your skills along the way. Lots of top tips from experienced staff along the way....

25th Apr 2023 - 13th Jun 2023

Tuesday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Introduction to Domestic Electrical Repairs

Part Time MSAU104P

An opportunity to get hands-on experience using the tools of the trade. Understand and practise how to work safely and skilfully. Start from the very basics and develop your skills along the way. Lots of top tips from experienced staff along the way....

27th Apr 2023 - 15th Jun 2023

Thursday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Introduction To PV (PhotoVoltaic)

Part Time XSAU009P

The course will give you a basic introduction into Solar PV (Photovoltaics) and its place within the range of renewable technologies increasingly employed to combat environmental challenges....

10th Mar 2023 - 10th Mar 2023

Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Introduction To Solar Thermal

Part Time XSAU006P

The course will give you a basic introduction into Solar Thermal and its place within the range of renewable technologies increasingly employed to combat environmental challenges....

27th Mar 2023 - 27th Mar 2023

Monday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Plumbing Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced

Part Time MSAU106P

Evening Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Plumbing courses available. Whether you are a beginner wanting to develop basic plumbing skills, or you’re an experienced learner wanting to expand your skill set, come and join us at our evening plumbing c...

27th Apr 2023 - 15th Jun 2023

Thursday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Plumbing Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced

Part Time MSWU105P

Evening Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Plumbing courses available. Whether you are a beginner wanting to develop basic plumbing skills, or you’re an experienced learner wanting to expand your skill set, come and join us at our evening plumbing c...

25th Apr 2023 - 13th Jun 2023

Tuesday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Plumbing Level 1

School Leaver MFWM100P

Hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a great place to...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Plumbing Level 1

School Leaver MFAU100P

Hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a great place to...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Plumbing Level 2

School Leaver MFWN101P

This course is hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Plumbing Level 2

School Leaver MFAV200P

This course is hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Plumbing Level 3

School Leaver MFWV300P

To gain access into the Building Services Industry as a plumber, this course will serve you well. It is designed for learners to develop, skills, knowledge, and disciplines of plumbing. This will then allow further progression to gain higher level qu...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Site Carpentry Level 2

School Leaver MFWM105P

Hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a great place to...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Site Carpentry Level 2

School Leaver MFAU200P

Hands on, practically challenging, fast moving and diverse. Whilst no job within construction is ever the same you can be sure that it will be exciting with varied career and training options. Our dedicated construction workshops are a great place to...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details
Site Carpentry Level 3

School Leaver MFWT106P

This one year course is designed to give you the advanced skills, techniques and understanding of the trade needed to be successful in this profession. These specialist skills will improve your employability prospects with a specialist site carpentry...

11th Sept 2023 - 5th Jul 2024

Monday to Friday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Woodworking Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced

Part Time MSWU107P

Evening Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Carpentry courses available. Whether you are a beginner wanting to develop basic woodworking skills, or you’re an experienced learner wanting to expand your skill set, come and join us at our evening woodwo...

25th Apr 2023 - 13th Jun 2023

Tuesday

Construction

Witney Campus

View course details
Woodworking Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced

Part Time MSAU108P

Evening Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Carpentry courses available. Whether you are a beginner wanting to develop basic woodworking skills, or you’re an experienced learner wanting to expand your skill set, come and join us at our evening woodwo...

27th Apr 2023 - 15th Jun 2023

Thursday

Construction

Abingdon Campus

View course details