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Training For A Career In Construction

By: Jeff Durham - Updated: 15 Sep 2012 | comments

With an ever growing UK population and the demand that places upon housing, the continued expansion in the redevelopment and regeneration of areas throughout the UK and new commercial and industrial builds and lots of other projects besides like new roads for example, there will be an increasing need for workers at all levels who wish to pursue a career within the construction and building environment over the foreseeable future.

The Need For Skilled Workers

The demand for skilled workers within this particular sector goes right across the board. From skilled tradesmen such as bricklayers, carpenters, joiners, painters and decorators and plasterers etc right up to managerial and professional level - e.g. quantity surveyors, architects, town planners etc., the need for skilled workers across the entire spectrum is only likely to further increase substantially over the next decade.

Training And Career Development

The length and scope of training within this particular sector varies tremendously. With short part-time courses which are often combined with on the job training for semi-skilled workers right up to a minimum of 7 years full-time study and then professional experience before you can call yourself an architect, the opportunities are virtually unlimited. Certain jobs will require you to either undertake an apprenticeship in which you’ll combine vocational training with on the job practical experience and they can take anything up to 3 years or so to complete. Other courses will be job specific and to NVQ level 2 or 3 or the BTEC National equivalent.

Aiming Even Higher

Beyond these qualifications, there are HNCs and HNDs which are typically around 2 years in length and can, with another year of study, be topped up to a full honours degree or alternatively, you can enter the industry via the standard A-level route then on to university to undertake a sector specific degree. After that, you may choose to pursue further qualifications through the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and there are also similar institutes offering further qualifications and career advancement prospects such as the Royal Institute of Architects (RIBA) and the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) to name just a couple.

Prospects For The Future

The construction industry continues to grow apace and whilst some of those workers who are working at the lower end of the spectrum have taken a bit of a knock recently because of increasing competition for jobs from migrant workers who have come to the UK as the result of EU expansion over the past few years, those who are qualified tradesmen and professionals are still expected to continue to prosper and flourish over the foreseeable future with the demand for workers coming from redevelopment and regeneration projects, both public and private housing, local authority commissions and both industrial and commercial builds to name but a few.

Some Typical Jobs

Some of the more typical roles across all levels within this broad industry include:

Tradesmen e.g. bricklayer, carpenter, joiner, plumber, electrician, painter, plasterer etc.
Architect and Town Planner
Interior Designer
Civil Engineer
Estate Manager
Highways Engineer
Land Surveyor
Water Engineer

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