NCFE Entry Level Award in Creative Craft courses

in Cake Decorating, Catering, Floristry, Interior Design, or Sewing Skills

Course aim

This course will enable you to develop skills in your chosen creative craft using an appropriate range of relevant tools and equipment

Will I gain a qualification on this course?

Yes. An NCFE Entry Level Award in Creative Craft in your chosen subject.

Course length

This course is for 20 Guided Learning Hours.

Who is this course for?

This course is for individuals who are interested in finding out more about a particular creative craft. The course is a short introduction to the skills and study that will be required to gain qualifications in this subject. It would be suitable for you if you are thinking about looking for work or self-employment in a particular creative industry.

Entry requirements

As these are beginners course all enthusiastic learners are welcome. You do not need any previous experience of any of the creative crafts. However, as the courses involve keeping notes and taking measurements you will need to have basic levels of English and maths. There will be a short initial assessment at the start of the course to ensure that the course is suitable for you.

What will I learn?

Cake Decorating

You will learn how to
Make a piping bag and mix Royal Icing.
Cover a cake board and design a simple cake top.
Pipe shells and how to make moulded flowers and leaves.
Use simple modelling techniques.

You will also start to develop an awareness of employment opportunities in the confectionary industry.

Other Information
In addition to the course fees, a total spend of up to £20 will be needed to purchase equipment for the whole course. This will be spread across several weeks.

You will need to bring appropriate protective clothing whilst in the training kitchen, including a full length apron or white overall and protective head covering such as a clean headscarf or hat which must be worn at every session.

For the first session
You will only need to bring a small roll of greaseproof paper, a medium sized palette knife, which can be purchased for about £3- £4 from any DIY Cake Decorating shop, a pen, writing pad and folder.

Catering

You will learn how to
Prepare food and a variety of techniques including chopping skills.
Present and display food.
Adapt recipes to larger quantities.
Cook using different methods.

You will learn about Health and safety and the many employment opportunities in the catering industry.

Other Information
The course fees for this qualification do not cover the cost of equipment and materials such as protective clothing or specialist equipment such as a knife set.

You will need to spend £5 - £10 on ingredients for the sessions when you are cooking

For the first session
you will need pen, writing pad, lever arch folder and poly pockets.

Floristry

You will learn how to
Use basic materials, tools and equipment.
Make bows.
Package and gift wrap finished items.
Use primary and secondary colours.
Use and store plant material, tools and equipment safely.

You will learn about employment opportunities in the Floristry sector.

Other Information
In addition to the course fees, flowers and foliage will cost between £3 and £10 per session, depending on the quantity and quality of goods purchased. Fresh flowers will not be required every week.

For the first session you will only need to bring a pen and writing pad. Materials needed for the first session will be provided by your tutor.

You will need to purchase a pair of floristry scissors (cost approx. £7 from Amazon) and a floristry knife (cost approx. £7.50 from Amazon) within the first 2 weeks of the course starting the course.

Interior Design

You will learn how to
Use primary and secondary colours and how to use them for effect in your own designs.
Take and record accurate measurements.
Produce samples of techniques with instructions in your portfolio.
Use basic research techniques and findings to help you to formulate ideas for working with colour.

You will also start to develop an awareness of the employment opportunities available in the Interior Design sector.

Other Information
The course fees for this qualification do not cover the cost of equipment and materials. You will need to spend approximately £10 on equipment at the beginning of the course, and then up to £5 on material and fabrics as the course progresses.

For the first session
You will need pen, writing pad, lever arch folder and poly pockets.

Sewing Skills

You will learn how to
Produce a variety of stitched samples.
Use research techniques and findings to help you understand why the stitched samples are produced in a certain way.
Use tools, techniques and machinery correctly and safely.

You will also start to develop an awareness of the employment opportunities available in the Textiles sector.

Important Information
The course fees for this qualification do not cover the cost of equipment and materials. You will need to spend approximately £10 on equipment at the beginning of the course, and then up to £5 on material and fabrics as the course progresses.

For the first session
you will need pen, writing pad, lever arch folder and poly pockets.

How will I learn?

Your tutor will demonstrate techniques which you will practice and experiment with.
You will produce sample pieces in a variety of techniques.
You will carry out research for the techniques used.
You will produce a portfolio showing your samples and achievements.

What could this course lead to?

This course will help you to develop basic levels of design and practical skills. It will prepare you for progression onto an NCFE Level 1 Award in Creative Craft in your chosen subject.

Your responsibilities as a learner on this course

So that you have the best chance of successfully passing this qualification, you will need to attend all sessions, be punctual, complete homework as required, and bring the correct tools and resources to each session.

Birmingham Adult Education Service

Helping with the cost of learning