DIY Skills for Everyone

Trade Taster
Courses

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

Get Help at Home
Browse Courses
Express Interest
5-star reviews

0117 4624161

[email protected]

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.

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
Let us know that you're interested

As featured on the BBC…..

BBC article about bePractical supporting women into the Trades
Read the Full Article here >>

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

Learn to use 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

Do I need any experience to join a Trades Taster course?

None at all. These courses are designed for people who are completely new to practical work. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to have a go.

How long does a Trades Taster course last?

Each course is a full day. This gives you enough time to get properly hands-on with the skills and techniques, rather than just watching a demonstration.

Can I book more than one Trades Taster course?

Yes, and we’d encourage it. Each course covers a different trade, so if you’re weighing up a few options, trying more than one is a great way to find out which one feels right.

Are these courses suitable for women?

Absolutely. bePractical was built around empowering women with practical skills, and that ethos runs through everything we do, including the Trades Taster courses. You’ll find a supportive, no-nonsense environment where no question is too basic.

What tools and materials do I need to bring?

Nothing. All tools and materials are provided. Just wear old clothing and sturdy shoes.

Will the course tell me how to actually set up as a tradesperson?

Yes. As well as the hands-on practical skills, every course covers what it actually looks like to go self-employed, including insurance, pricing your work, finding clients, and building a support network. We want you to leave with a realistic picture of what the leap involves.

I’m not sure which trade to try first. Can you help me decide?

Get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction based on what appeals to you. As a rough guide: if you enjoy problem-solving and working with systems, plumbing or electrics tend to resonate; if you prefer working with materials and creating things, carpentry is often the one.

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.

Got another Question?

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

All Upcoming DIY Courses & Clubs

Latest DIY Advice

Our latest FREE DIY Advice

Essential Home Plumbing - prevent plumbing emergencies

Where do I Turn my Water off?

Discover how to tun off your water supply. In the event of an emergency, you will want to know how to do this very quickly. Follow-our guide for finding your Stop tap. and turning off your water quickly, before too much damage is caused

read more…