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Why study Practical Metalworking?
This course will give you a broad introduction to practical metalworking skills. You will learn the correct use of tools and equipment, and a range of materials, processes and techniques. And, you will be able to read and interpret diagrams, and work safely in a workshop-based setting. You will get to use some creative skills, and plan your activities through to completing a finished product in metal.
The skills you learn in this course will help you move into career areas such as craft, design, engineering and graphics.
What do I need to get in?
The school or college will decide on the entry requirements for the course. You would normally have achieved:
What will I study?
In this course you will develop manual dexterity and control skills in a specialist practical craft. You will learn about the correct use of a range of tools, equipment and materials. The skills you learn in this course are also useful to other areas such as woodworking. And, you will learn how to work effectively alongside others in a workshop environment.
The course comprises three areas of study.
Bench Skills
You will:
- learn a range of metalworking hand tool skills including bench-fitting work, routine sheet-metal work and measuring and marking out. Some tasks will involve complex features
- be able to read and interpret drawings and diagrams showing both familiar and unfamiliar metalworking tasks.
Machine Processes
You will:
- build your measuring and marking out skills
- develop skills in using common metalwork machines, equipment and related processes
- work with an appropriate range of metals in both familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
Fabrication and Thermal Joining
You will:
- develop skills in fabrication, forming and joining of metalwork components with some complex features
- develop skills in thermal joining techniques
- build your skills in measuring and marking out.
How will I be assessed?
Course Assessment
The course assessment has two components totalling 130 marks:
- Component 1: question paper – worth 60 marks
- Component 2: practical activity – worth 70 marks.
For the practical activity you will be asked to make a finished product from metal. The assessment will be set by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Your work will be assessed by a visiting SQA assessor.
The question paper will be set and externally marked by SQA.
The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across all course assessment components.
The course assessment is graded A-D.
Study Materials
** Please note there are no Past Papers for National 5 Practical Metalworking available.
What can I go on to next?
Further study, training or employment in:
Which jobs are related to this subject?
Where can my parents find out more?
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
Nationals in a Nutshell - Practical Metalworking (National 5)