Are you interested in studying or training to work in the design and construction industry? This page should help you understand the different pathways towards a career in this sector whether you would like to study further or go straight into work through an apprenticeship scheme. There are many jobs in the industry and often a great way to start is to do some work experience and get to know the different roles that exist.
Please use some of the reference links on the right hand-side to support your research, check the different pathway options in the section below and let your DEC tutor know if you are applying to study or work within the industry. Key Partner
|
Useful References
|
Which pathway is best for you?
Post-16
After you have completed your GCSEs, there are a few options available depending on whether you want to get into the workplace as soon as possible or would like to study for longer before starting work. However, all routes involve continuous learning and training as you must be in some form of training or education up until the age of 18. Work Experience Work experience is the chance to visit and shadow or be mentored by an expert in the industry. It is usually a short term during the holidays or after school. Opportunities are often promoted by schools, councils, charities, or companies directly that wish to highlight the diversity and opportunities within an industry. In the case of the construction industry, there are many opportunities as it is one of the largest sectors that is currently requires more employees so they are keen to reach out and promote what is on offer. Traineeships If you want to experience an industry or find out more and have no qualifications above GCSE level, then a traineeship allows you to experience an industry from two weeks to up to six months. It is more of a commitment that a work placement and not a paid position, but It is useful if you are unsure about what to do and want hands-on experience in a company. You can find out more here. Apprenticeship If you are keen to work as soon as possible, then an apprenticeship is a paid job with some study/training to support your development. You can find out more here. College / Sixth Form If you are keen to continue studying, you can study level 2/3 vocational awards, such as DEC level 2 or 3, or A-levels on subjects that link to the industry such as physics, maths and/or art. Most colleges will encourage you to choose subjects that will be accepted at entry level into higher level apprenticeships or higher education such as a degree in Architecture or Engineering. You will generally need to have five GCSEs including level 4 or 5 in English and Maths, but colleges usually have their own admissions criteria. If you are studying A-level, it is likely that a subject like Maths or Physics will require a higher entry level of around a 7+ pass at GCSE level. You can find out more here. T-Levels T-levels (Technical) are a hybrid model of work placements and studying and are linked specifically to industry. You can choose to study specific pathways within construction and also have up to 45 days (20% of your qualification) of work placements. They are worth the equivalent of three a-levels and an alternative to a-levels or apprenticeships. You can find out more here. |
Post-18
If you are currently studying a-levels, then you have a range of options to either study further at degree level or go straight into work. Apprenticeship If you are keen to work as soon as possible, then an apprenticeship is a paid job with some study/training to support your development. It is possible to do an apprenticeship that is combined with a degree (see below) to allow progression into higher level skilled roles. You can find out more here. University Degrees There are some jobs within the industry that require a higher level of study to enter such as becoming an architect or structural or mechanical engineering. To be able to start work at this level, you will need to have a qualification at degree level. You can find out more here. Graduate Schemes Once you have a degree, many companies will have a graduate scheme for those that have obtained a relevant degree to work within their company and explore different roles within and choose a pathway. These schemes are usually quite tailored to the companies ethos and essentially a good way to network and discover what kind of role best suits you. Here is an example of a graduate scheme for Balfour Beatty, whom we have previously worked with. Careers
Below are some of the types off careers available in the construction industry, but these change regularly and so should also refer to the government list here.
|