Jobs

SO YOU WANT TO BE IN CONSTRUCTION?

1 October 2007

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Construction is the UK's biggest industry, with two million people already at work in more than 700 different types of jobs.

And Southwark, as one of the fastest developing boroughs in London, is no exception. Just take a look around you at the wealth and scale of developments and buildings springing up from month to month. Too much, some argue, but if you’re scratching your head at what profession to follow, there’s little doubt that construction work will continue to pour into Southwark for the foreseeable future. So why not you?

There are a number of routes into the construction industry and many different occupations to choose between, according to the Construction Industry Training Board.

The three main routes are craft, technical and graduate. However, what people choose to do first is not necessarily what they end up doing for the rest of their career.

Craft
Most new entrants train and gain qualifications as they work, through an apprenticeship, although there are other kinds of training schemes. To enter the industry in a craft occupation, a good basic education is needed. Craft trainees develop skills using their hands and specialist equipment whilst learning about construction materials and production methods. You will also have the chance to do qualifications that can take you into technical, supervisory or management occupations.

Technical
To train in a technical occupation four good GCSE passes (or in Scotland, 4 good Standard grades), A levels, or an equivalent vocational qualification, are needed. There are two main options: either you can work and go to college part-time through an apprenticeship, or you can get full-time college qualifications before joining the industry. You will have the opportunity to complete further vocational and professional qualifications and move to supervisory or management roles.

Graduate
People with a foundation degree or degree, in a subject such as civil engineering, building, and construction management, can expect a high level of responsibility when they enter the industry and develop relevant skills. Graduates will be trained for highly specialised or management positions and will have the opportunity to gain professional qualifications such as chartered status.

We have featured a few organisations that are training and developing construction workforces, as well as employing them when they complete their qualifications!

If you would like more information about getting involved with the construction Industry then contact the Construction Industry Training Board on 01485 577577 or try logging onto their website www.citb.org.uk

 

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