WJEC Level 1/2 Constructing the Built Environment Past Papers

WJEC Level 1/2 Award in Constructing the Built Environment is a vocational qualification for learners aged 14–16 who are interested in careers in the construction and built environment sector. Offered at both Level 1 and Level 2 within the same qualification, it provides an introduction to the construction industry — its occupations, practices, safety requirements, and the materials and techniques used in building — combined with practical skills development. Unit 1: Safety and Security is the examined component and forms the foundation of the qualification. Topics cover health and safety legislation relevant to construction sites (the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Construction Design and Management Regulations, personal protective equipment requirements), common hazards on construction sites (working at height, electrical hazards, falling objects, exposure to dust and chemicals), risk assessment processes (identifying hazards, assessing likelihood and severity of harm, implementing control measures), and site security (controlling access, site signage, protecting materials and equipment from theft). Learners are expected to identify specific hazards from site photographs or descriptions, explain the appropriate control measures, and demonstrate understanding of why certain safety practices are legally required. The qualification also introduces the main trades and occupations within the built environment — bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, painting and decorating — and their roles in the construction process from foundation to completion. The qualification is assessed through the Unit 1 written examination and internally assessed practical units, and is widely used as part of vocational pathways in Welsh secondary schools preparing learners for apprenticeship routes or further education in construction and built environment subjects.