DIY Skills for Everyone

Trade Taster

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Thinking about a Career Change? Why not come & try it out. Find out if learning a trade is the right move for you.

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Trade taster Courses

Is this for me?

Trade Taster courses give you a real, practical taste of working in a trade. A chance to find out if a career in the trades is really for you, before you commit to anything. No experience needed. Just curiosity.

Whether your job is changing, AI is reshaping your industry, or you simply want to do work that feels more meaningful, a skilled trade could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Maybe you’ve already enjoyed a bit of DIY and want to find out how far it could take you. Our short, hands-on courses are designed to help you find out.

Whether your job is changing, AI is reshaping your industry, or you simply want to do work that feels more meaningful, a skilled trade could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Maybe you’ve already enjoyed a bit of DIY and want to find out how far it could take you. Our short, hands-on courses are designed to help you find out.

Are you?

  • In a job that’s at risk or just no longer fulfilling
  • Someone who’s done a bit of DIY and thought ‘I actually enjoy this’
  • Considering self-employment but not sure if a trade is the right route
  • Completely new to practical work and just want to try it out

Course 1 — General Trade Skills

Get to grips with the tools every tradesperson relies on.

This is the ideal starting point if you’re new to practical work. You’ll get hands-on with the tools and techniques that underpin almost every trade; the kind of skills that will serve you whatever direction you decide to go in.

By the end of the day you’ll have used a range of power tools and hand tools, learned how to approach different types of walls and fixings, and completed some real practical tasks to take away.

Using Drills

Learn about different types, when to use them, and techniques for using them safely and effectively.

Hand Tools

Discover a range of hand tools that every Tradesperson needs. Learn how to use them, so that you can start building your tool kit.

Understanding Materials

Learn how to assess a wall type. Discover a world of differnt fixings. Learn how and when to use them. 

Putting up Shelves

Learn how to assess a wall type, which fixings to use, and how to use them. Measure, level and secure effectively

General Maintenance

Learn about common maintenance issue and leave armed with a wealth of tips and tricks for dealing with common problems

Interested in this Course?

Click on the button below, and let us know that you’re interested. We’ll be putting dates in the calendar very soon.  

I'm interested in General Trade Skills

Course 2 – Introduction to Plumbing

Understand how plumbing works & have a go yourself.

Plumbing is one of the most in-demand trades in the country, and it’s far more approachable than most people think. This course gives you a solid grounding in how domestic plumbing systems work, the components involved, and the most common jobs a plumber carries out.

How Domestic Plumbing works

Learn about common plumbing set-ups in the UK. 

Pipework

An introduction to different kinds of plumbing fittings. Get hands-on with using them, and understand how they work.

Taps, Traps & Wastes

Discover how to change & repair taps. Understand how traps and waste systems work efficiently. Learn about different kinds of waste system

Common Toilet Issues

Discover common issues with toilets and how to fix them. 

Plumbing Projects

Understand how to plan and manage plumbing projects. Identify potentila issues, and protect against them.

Interested in this Course?

Click on the button below, and let us know that you’re interested. We’ll be putting dates in the calendar very soon.  

I'm interested in Plumbing Trade Skills

Course 3 – Introduction to Electrics

Learn how electrical systems work & understand safety

Electrical work comes with rules, for good reason. This course takes a safety-first approach, making sure you understand the regulations around domestic electrical work, what a competent DIYer or budding electrician can do legally, and what requires a certified professional.

You’ll get hands-on with real tasks and equipment, and leave with a clear picture of how domestic electrical systems work & understand the potential pitfalls. 

Electrical Safety

The essential fundamentals you need to know. There might be abit of physics, but we’ll make it easy to understand

Cables

How we run them. How we choose them. Different types. How to avoid them

Sockets

How we change them. Making good connections. Checking and testing

Light Fittings

How lighting circuits works. How to change fittings. Understand switches & dimmers. Smart Lighting

Multimeters & Test Equipment

How to use multi-meters and test equipment safely. 

Consumer Units

How they work. How RCDs and other systems work. How to deal with common tripping issues and identify the cause of faults

Building Regulations

What’s legal and what isn’t. Understand the building regulations around electrcial work, and know where to get advice and support

Interested in this Course?

Click on the button below, and let us know that you’re interested. We’ll be putting dates in the calendar very soon.  

I'm interested in Electrical Trade Skills

Course 4 – Introduction to Carpentry

Discover the satisfaction of working with wood

Carpentry is one of the most versatile trades, and one of the most satisfying. From fitting skirting boards to hanging doors, the skills you’ll pick up in this course come up again and again in residential work.

You’ll get hands-on with power tools including jigsaws and circular saws, work through some of the most common carpentry tasks, and get a real sense of what it’s like to work as a carpenter day to day.

Introduction to Power Tools

An introduction to using Jigsaws, Circular Saws and Mitre Saws

Introduction to Hand tools

Leaarn to uue common hand tools, including chisels, measuring & scribing tools

Installing Skirting Board

Cutting, measuring, scribing & fitting

Dealing with Doors

Discover common issues with doors. Learn how to install a hinge, door lock & change a handle

Planning and implementing projects

Understand how to plan and manage a carpentry project – the bread and butter of a carpenter’s work

Interested in this Course?

Click on the button below, and let us know that you’re interested. We’ll be putting dates in the calendar very soon.  

I'm interested in Carpentry Trade Skills

What’s included?

In every course…..

Every Trade Taster course includes much more than just the practical skills. We cover the things you’ll need to know if you’re serious about making a change.

Running your own Business

We spend time on what it actually means to go self-employed;  insurance, legal requirements, tax basics, how to price your work, and how to find and keep clients.

No fluff, just the practical stuff you need to know before you take the leap.

Tools and kit

What do you actually need to get started? We’ll guide you through building a toolkit without blowing the budget, what to prioritise early on, and how your kit will grow with your confidence and client base.

Working Safely

Health and safety isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s what keeps you working. We cover the practical habits and awareness that protect you, your clients, and anyone else on site.

Building your Support Network

Going it alone is tough. We talk about how to find mentors, connect with other tradespeople, and build the kind of support network that helps new self-employed people get through the difficult early months.

Real Stories from Real People

Each course features guest speakers who’ve made the same kind of career change you’re considering. They’ll share their motivations, what surprised them, the highs and the hard parts,  and the things they wish someone had told them before they started.

What Our Customers are Saying

Got a Question?

FAQs

What is a DIY Course?

A DIY course is a structured hands-on workshop that teaches you practical skills for home improvement, repairs, and creative projects.

Our DIY Courses in Bristol are designed to build your confidence so you can tackle real jobs in your own home

Who can benefit from a DIY course?

Anyone can benefit from a DIY course, especially beginners looking to build confidence and learn essential home improvement skills.

What topics are covered in your DIY home improvement courses?

Topics include using  hand tools and power tools, carrying out basic repairs in the home, woodworking and carpentry projects, plumbing skills, electrical work, and creative projects tailored to individual needs.

What should I bring?

We recommend wearing old clothing, and sturdy shoes. In the colder months, we suggest that these are warm, or layered. It can get cold in the Workshop.

If you have long hair, we strongly recommend that, for your own safety,  you keep it tied up while you are using any power tools.

If you would like to bring your own PPE (Personal Protectve Equipment), please feel free to do so. We will provide PPE, but we know that some people would prefer to use their own. (We recommend that you mark them up with your names, so that you can identify them)

Are your courses suitable for women?

Definitely. bePractical DIY specialises in empowering women to tackle home projects with confidence. Most of our DIY courses in Bristol are designed with women and first-time homeowners in mind. However, we encourage anyone to sign up to our DIY courses, regardless of gender.

We provide a safe space for anyone to learn hands-on practical skills, and we also run Women-only DIY Clubs in the evenings.

Can I do TWO Courses on the Same Day?

Yes. That’s no problem. We run courses that follow on from each other on the same day, so that you can.

We guarantee that the days will be fun and empowering, but they may also be tiring. Remember you will be learning lots of new information and skills, and so may find the day tiring. Please bear that in mind.

What tools and materials do I need for DIY Training?

We provide all tools and materials. You only need to bring yourself and an enthusiam to learn.
You’re very welcome to bring your own tools, if you’d like to learn how to use them and get some practice. 

How long do DIY workshops typically last?

Our DIY workshops vary in length, depending on your needs.

We run 2-hour long Bitesize courses, to give you a taster of a DIY skill.

We run several half-day DIY courses in general DIY skills, DIY plumbing skills and carpentry skills.

We also run evening DIY Club – 2 hours each week over a 4-week term, so you can choose the DIY course format that suits you best.

How do I book, and where are you based?

You can book online at bePractical DIY.

We’re based in Bristol, with small group classes for lots of personal attention.

Can I buy this DIY Course as a gift?

Absolutely. Great idea. The perfect gift for the persoon who wants to build some self-confidence: Gift vouchers are available here.

Can I take DIY lessons at home?

Yes, we offer personalised DIY lessons, with our DIY Assist Service,  in your home to help you tackle specific projects.

We come to your home to help you work through your DIY Jobs list.

What if i have a question after the course?

We offer ongoing support by email, WhatsApp, or phone. We know how important it it to have support when you are doing your DIY projects. That’s why we’re here.

We’ll also send you comprehensive follow-up notes for the course, so that you don’t have to take notes. We want you to get as much out of the course as possible. 

No such thing as a daft question here!

Got another Question?

Drop us an email, or send us a message using our Online Contact Form

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