Construction Design and Build Technician (Level 4 Standard)

Construction design and build technicians can undertake generalised design and management roles and also specialise in specific aspects of building design or particular building types, including structural or civil engineering; mechanical, electrical and plumbing design; residential or commercial property; landscape design; digital engineering; planning, estimating and costing designs; building conservation; renovation; retrofit; sustainability and green design.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to support multi-disciplinary teams to design and construct the built environment, ensuring projects meet the needs of clients and users, whilst delivering to the required levels of quality, safety, security, efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Construction design and build technicians coordinate all of the design work required during construction projects. They manage the production of technical information models, both 2D and digital, used to build a structure. They bring together architects, structural and service engineers, along with specialist designers and Building Information Modelling BIM technicians, to create coordinated designs which can be used during the build and aid maintenance of the structure once complete.

Applicants must have gained a minimum of 3-5 GCSEs (grades 9-4) or equivalent in English and maths as well as Level 3 qualification or T Level with relevant industry bias. Relevant work-based experience would also be considered. Individual employers may also set their own selection criteria for this Apprenticeship.

• Hands-on Training & College Learning: Apprentices work in professional design studios or site offices while attending college one day per week. They support planning, design coordination, and project management tasks, gaining practical experience with digital tools and technical documentation across the construction lifecycle.

• Wide-Ranging Curriculum: The course covers building design, BIM processes, sustainability, structural and civil engineering principles, and health and safety. Apprentices also learn to produce and manage 2D and digital technical models used throughout construction and maintenance phases.

• Specialist Pathways: Learners may specialise in areas like mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design, building conservation, retrofit, or green design depending on their interest and employer needs. Employers may also support development in estimating, costing, or digital engineering depending on project requirements.

• Career-Ready Qualification: Upon completion (typically 36 months), apprentices earn a Level 4 qualification and are ready for roles like design technician, bim coordinator, or construction planner, with progression into degree-level study or professional registration such as TechCIOB or REnvTech.

For a comprehensive understanding of this technician programme and what it entails, please click here.

As part of your Higher Apprenticeship, you will also be undertaking the HTQ in Construction Design and Build Technician, making this a far more financially viable route for Higher education.

This Construction Design and Build technician Apprenticeship is taught at our London Road campus on a day release basis each week, with the delivery model being discussed according to the employer requirements. In addition, you will be visited at your workplace regularly by your assessor, to assess your practical skills and knowledge as well as review your progress with your employer.  You will be required to sit an End Point Assessment, towards the final stages of your programme, to ensure you have obtained the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to do your job effectively.

Typically, this Apprenticeship will take 36 months to complete, inclusive of the HTQ in Construction Design and Build Technician and the End Point Assessment.

To be an apprentice, you will need an employer who can offer you a specific role relevant to this apprenticeship and release you for your training. Once you have an employer in place, you can apply online. If after reading this fact sheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop into one of our advice events, ring the Apprenticeship Team on 01743 653444 or email apprenticeships@shrewsbury.ac.uk