Useful Qualifications: One route into the industry is via qualifications such as NVQs in a relevant trade or skill. You might also want to join a construction skills certification scheme. You’ll then receive a card that shows you are trained in a certain form of construction. To gain one of the cards, you’ll have to pass a health, safety and environment test.
Apprenticeship: An apprenticeship is a good way to break into construction, giving a broader insight into the working world, with a real hands-on experience. You will be employed and paid for your role and may attend college on a regular basis too. There are more than 100 types of apprenticeships in construction. Write to a few firms to see if they have any available or go to their websites.
Traineeships: This is a type of work experience which can last from a few weeks up to six months and a good building block if you want to go onto an apprenticeship or study a degree qualification. You need to be aged 16 to 24, qualified below level three and unemployed without much prior work experience. The government pays for traineeships and may also offer you a grant of up to £1,500 if you go onto an apprenticeship with the company that’s taken you on. You will need to do at least 100 hours of work over a maximum of six months. Find out about more on the traineeship page at gov.uk or via the National Careers Service.
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