Horticulture, construction and upholstery courses

Take advantage of the many opportunities in Derbyshire and get qualified in construction, horticulture or upholstery.

Certificate in Construction Multi Skills

This course is for those with no experience of construction trade crafts who want to learn skills and knowledge of the trade.

Bricklaying

This level 2 diploma is for those with some experience in construction, who want to gain the level 2 diploma to enable them to work in the industry.

Plastering

The level 1 course is for people with no experience of plastering, you will work towards a level 1 certificate to be able to progress onto our level 2 diploma.

The level 2 diploma is for people with some experience of plastering, achieving the level 2 diploma qualification will allow you to work in the industry.

Dry stone walling

Want to learn a valuable heritage and sustainable skill that could give you self-employment in our beautiful countryside or work in another part of the world? Learn from the best with experienced and passionate working wallers.

We run dry stone walling courses from Derbyshire Eco Centre and other venues in north Derbyshire.

Dry stone walling level 1

An introduction to dry stone walling techniques: stripping out and rebuilding a limestone or gritstone wall, health and safety and improving your speed in preparation for the Lantra level 1 Certificate through the DSWA (Dry Stone Walling Association).

If you are interested in doing a drystone walling qualification, please email ecocentre@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 533038

Sessions are on the following dates:

• session 1: Wednesday 15 May 2024 - induction from 6pm to 8pm
• session 2: Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 May 2024 from 9am to 4.30pm
• session 3: speed tests - Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 June 2024 from 9am to 4.30pm
• session 4: mock test - Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 July 2024 from 9am to 4.30pm
• session 5: test - Thursday 11 July 2024 from 7.30am to 4.30pm

Dry stone walling level 2

Further experience is required before enrolling on a level 2 course which further develops skills so that learners can register as a professional dry stone waller with the DSWA.

Sessions are on the following dates:

• session 1: Thursday 18 April 2024 - induction from 9am to 4.30pm
• session 2: Thursday 25 and Friday 26 April 2024 from 9am to 4.30pm
• session 3: Thursday 6 and Friday 7 June 2024 from 9am to 4.30pm
• session 4: Thursday 20 and Friday 21 June 2024 from 9am to 4.30pm
• session 5: Thursday 4 and Friday 5 July 2024 from 9am to 4.30pm
• session 6: Thursday 18 and Friday 19 July 2024 from 9am to 4.30pm
• session 7: Test Monday 22 July 2024 from 7.30am to 4.30pm

If you are interested in doing a drystone walling qualification, please email ecocentre@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 533038

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)

Would you like turn your passion for gardening into a job you love? Enrol on one of our part-time RHS courses, delivered in the beautiful grounds of Derbyshire Eco Centre, and make your dream a reality.

Widely recognised and respected courses designed by the Royal Horticultural Society to provide current information and develop practical skills relevant for a range of careers in the gardening industry. We offer:

• RHS level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
• RHS level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development

Attainment of both the Certificate in Practical Horticulture and the Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development will result in you achieving the level 2 Certificate in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture.

RHS courses are full for the 2023/2024 year. If you'd like to be contacted about courses starting in September 2024, please email ecocentre@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 533038.

Upholstery courses

Do you want to learn how to upholster a chair or stool? Our upholstery courses are a great way to give new life to furniture. Create something unique and learn new skills. We have leisure classes across Derbyshire and also offer the AMUSF qualification.

The Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers certificates and diploma

We work with the Association of Master Craftsmen and Upholsterers (AMUSF) to offer qualifications in Derbyshire. results achieved in 2022, with all our learners achieving a distinction.

The AMUSF qualifications are very practical with learners working through a number of traditional and modern tasks and coming away from the course with knowledge, skills and unique pieces of furniture.

These qualifications can lead to employment within the industry or with additional practice can lead to starting a small business.

The upholstery qualification is delivered in 3 stages with each stage being a qualification in its own right, and each stage certificated separately. For more information contact Ashbourne ACE Centre, email: ashbourne.ace@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 533696.

Upholstery leisure courses

Our non-vocational traditional upholstery courses are excellent for anyone wanting to develop upholstery skills without working towards a qualification.

Learners take along a project to upholster and work through each stage until the item is completed. These courses are a great opportunity to upgrade any upholstered furniture including chairs, stools and ottomans.