We run courses from our Training and Skills for Construction Centre (TASCC) in Holmewood, from the Toolbox in Gamesley and Derbyshire Eco Centre in Wirksworth.
Build a career in construction
Gain essential skills for working in the industry and work towards a nationally recognised qualification. Learn from our specialist tutors in our construction trades centres at The Toolbox, near Glossop or the Training and Skills for Construction Centre (TASCC) at Holmewood, near Clay Cross.
Courses offered
Certificate in Construction Multi Skills - TASCC and The Tool Box
This course is for those with no experience of construction trade crafts who want to learn skills and knowledge of the trade.
Plastering level 1 - The Toolbox/TASCC
This course is for people with no experience of plastering to gain a level 1 certificate to be able to progress onto our level 2 diploma.
Diploma in bricklaying level 2 - TASCC
This course is for those with some experience in construction, who want to gain the level 2 diploma to enable them to work in the industry.
Diploma in plastering level 2 - The Toolbox / TASCC
This course is for people with some experience of plastering to gain a level 2 diploma qualification to be able to work in the industry.
Courses may be free if you are employed and earn less than £20,319.
For courses at the Toolbox contact Glossop ACE Centre email glossop.ace@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 535895.
For courses at TASCC contact Clay Cross ACE Centre email claycross.ace@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 537108.
Dry stone walling courses
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 course 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). Sessions are on the following dates:
- session 1: Wednesday 9 August 2023 - induction from 6pm to 8pm
- session 2: Thursday 10 and Friday 11 August 2023 from 9am to 4.30pm
- session 3: speed tests - Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 September 2023 from 9am to 4.30pm
- session 4: mock test - Monday 16 October 2023 from 9am to 4.30pm
- session 5: test - Thursday 19 October 2023 from 7.30am to 4.30pm
A learner said:
"I attended the level one drystone walling course at the Derbyshire Eco Centre last week and I was really impressed on many levels.
"The administration staff were lovely, friendly and helpful and seemed to take a great deal of pride in the Eco Centre and their role in the running of the centre. The course tutor Sally Hodgson could, likewise, not have been prouder of the centre and the sustainability and ethos of the whole project.
"Sally is undoubtedly a highly skilled waller but it was her openness, friendly attitude and great teaching skills that impressed me. She explained and encouraged in a manner that was appropriate whilst encouraging the importance of the role wallers have in conservation and habitat management. Her great love for the job and the teaching of the skills needed was evident from the start.
"What also impressed me was the other people taking the course. I was probably the oldest by some considerable margin but the other students were and diverse bunch male, female, young, old and different ethnicities but with a few important things in common: they wanted to learn! They had a real pride in the outdoors, in rural skills and conservation, in the planet as a whole. They were driven by the sustainability of the skills being taught but were realistic that people need to earn a living and we’re paying they own way to learn skills for a job and a future that also is sustainable.
"It's a physical and hard course and often wet and windy, but everyone got stuck in and seemed to enjoy it. Let's say if they enjoyed it half as much as me then they would have had a great time and I for one can't wait for the next session, possibly without the rain and wind.
"I can't recommend the course, the Eco Centre, the staff and the tutors highly enough."
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.
The next course will be in spring 2024 (April to July), dates to be confirmed.