CONSTRUCTION
Construction is one of the most important skills sectors in the UK, accounting for 2.6 million jobs and it's growing fast. The sector is expected to grow by nearly 3% over the next five years and it is estimated that over 220,000 jobs will be created in construction over the next five years to meet the skills challenge of delivering a wide range of new projects.
According to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the South-West region is set to see the highest construction output growth in the UK with the City of Plymouth predicted to require a further 10,000 additional construction jobs by 2020, including 120,000 extra apprentices by 2018.
Construction enables you to make your mark on the world – it creates where we live, where we play and where we work. From historic and cultural buildings to shops, connecting our cities, enabling our travel, entertainment, protecting listed buildings and providing energy. An industry full of opportunity!
Many local training providers offer a wide range of training and qualifications to support you in gaining the job you want – everything from Architect to Bricklayer, to Building Controls and Carpenter, through to Surveyor and Site Manager. Visit our members page where you can access more information on specific providers.
You can enter the sector in a number of ways, including:
- Full-time / part-time college courses
- Apprenticeships
- Higher National Certificates (HNC)
- Higher National Diplomas (HND)
- Foundation Degree
- Bachelors Degree
Are you an employer interested in taking on an apprentice? Help and support are available via the Government Employing an Apprentice web page.
Are you an individual looking for an Apprenticeship? You can find all the latest vacancies by visiting the Find an Apprenticeship page.
There are many different occupations / careers available within the sector; some of these include:
Design and management – architect, building surveyor, civil engineer, facilities manager, landscape architect, project manager, quantity surveyor, structural engineer, town planner, building services design engineering
Technicians – architectural technician, buyer, plumber, electrician, CAD operator, estimator, site engineer
Craft roles – carpenter and joiner, bricklayer, demolition operative, floor layer, painter and decorator, dry liner, plant mechanic, plasterer, roofer, scaffolder, shop fitter, stonemason.
You can see lots more job roles and their profiles by visiting the National Careers Service site.