One skill.
Your next possibility.

Set up: No equipment needed. Wear closed shoes, secure long hair and follow the staff clothing guidance for your station.

1. Walk the shop

   Find the exits, first-aid point and the person supervising your session. Ask staff how to report an injury, damaged equipment or a spill.

2. Prepare your space

   Choose a simple task with staff. Clear the bench, secure loose clothing and put on the protective equipment they specify. Keep food and drinks away from work.

3. Practise stopping

   Point out hot, sharp, moving and electrical hazards at your station. Rehearse stopping the task and asking for help when something changes or feels wrong.

4. Leave it ready

   Complete the agreed task under observation. Let staff make equipment safe, then put away tools and handle waste as directed.

Set up: Staff-approved breadboard, LED, resistor, jumper wires and current-limited low-voltage supply. Staff choose the correct component values and supply settings.

Which holes connect?

Build the complete circuit

Trace the loop

Which way does the LED go?

1. Map the connections

   With power disconnected, use the board markings and staff demonstration to identify connected rows, the centre gap and power rails. Some power rails are split.

2. Lay out your circuit

   Follow the staff-provided diagram. Identify LED polarity and place the specified series resistor. Trace the entire route together before connecting power.

3. Test one change

   Ask staff to check the wiring, then test. Disconnect power before moving a component. Investigate a simple fault by checking one connection at a time.

4. Explain and rebuild

   Explain what the resistor and LED do. Show you can rebuild the circuit from the diagram and return the components correctly.

Set up: Staff-approved iron, stand, extraction, eye protection, solder and practice board. Staff select the operating temperature and materials.

Check components before soldering

1. Set up with staff

   Secure the board and arrange the stand and extraction. Identify surfaces that stay hot. Keep the working area clear and follow the shop's hand-hygiene routine.

2. Watch a joint

   Watch staff demonstrate the joint on the actual components you will use. Ask them to explain how much heat and solder the connection needs.

3. Practise and inspect

   Make practice joints under supervision. Compare them with the examples and identify a bridge, poor wetting or an incomplete connection. Have staff guide any correction.

4. Test and tidy

   With staff, inspect the unpowered board before the low-voltage functional test. Return the iron to its stand, follow the shutdown procedure and wash your hands.

Set up: A shop-approved model, the correct printer and filament profile, and a staff member for the machine start.

1. Match the setup

   Identify the printer, nozzle, material and build plate with staff. Confirm the model units and expected dimensions before choosing a profile.

2. Plan the print

   Orient the model and discuss contact area and overhangs. Slice it, inspect the layer preview and compare estimated time, material and support requirements.

3. Start under supervision

   Staff confirm the machine is ready. Follow its start procedure and watch the first layer. Explain what would make you stop and ask for help.

4. Review the result

   Wait for the bed and part to be safe to handle. Remove the model using the approved method, inspect the result and record one change for the next print.

Set up: A ruler or calipers, a sketch and an idea with a clear purpose.

1. Measure the problem

   Sketch the object and record units, outside dimensions and any space it must fit. Identify the features that matter most.

2. Build an editable model

   Use the design tool demonstrated by staff. Create the main shape, add or remove a feature and keep the dimensions editable.

3. Design for making

   Review walls, thin details, clearances and orientation with staff. Change one feature based on how the object will be printed and used.

4. Save and explain

   Save the editable project and export a correctly scaled model. Show staff how another person could understand its purpose and change a dimension.

Set up: Only the specific tools and materials approved by staff for your task. This badge does not cover every tool in the shop.

1. Choose and inspect

   Explain the job and select tools with staff. Check for loose, damaged or unsuitable tools before beginning.

2. Hold the work

   Demonstrate a stable clamping or support method. Identify where the tool could slip and keep hands clear of that path.

3. Measure and assemble

   Mark the work, check your measurement and use the demonstrated tools under the agreed supervision. Stop if a part binds or slips.

4. Check and return

   Inspect the assembly and show how it meets the plan. Report damaged tools, clear waste correctly and return the station ready for the next person.

Set up: A studio computer and an approved starter project. Staff can choose a screen-based project or a low-voltage device.

1. Explore the starter

   Run the project and identify its inputs and outputs. Explain what you expect to happen before editing anything.

2. Make a deliberate change

   Change a variable, condition or loop to create a different result. Predict the effect, run it and compare the result.

3. Find a bug

   Use a message, small test or inspection to narrow down a fault. Make one change at a time and keep a working version.

4. Share a working project

   Save the project with a clear name and explain how someone else can run it. Show staff the change you made and how you tested it.

Set up: A sample print and staff-approved paint, brushes and protection. Aerosols, solvents and powered finishing tools require separate staff direction.

1. Plan the finish

   Choose a simple colour scheme and agree the materials, ventilation and protection with staff. Read the handling and drying guidance for the actual products.

2. Prepare a sample

   Use the demonstrated preparation method. Inspect the surface and deal with dust or waste as directed before painting.

3. Apply controlled coats

   Practise on the sample first. Apply the demonstrated coats, allowing the specified drying time and keeping wet parts clearly marked.

4. Review and clean

   Inspect the finish and explain what you would improve. Clean brushes, handle wash water and waste as directed, and return the station ready.