JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 263

C O N ST R UCT I O N

Fill that hole

Construction is a constantly changing
industry that's always facing new
challenges. Currently a shortage of
housing means that is where much of
the growth lies, but you can start out in
house-building and find yourself working
on schools or supermarkets before long.
In recent years many of the most visible
jobs - particularly on building sites - have
been filled by EU citizens in the UK, but
the 2016 referendum result has already
seen some of these workers depart. If
that trend continues after the UK leaves
the EU, there will be a high demand
for new bricklayers, roofers, labourers
and many other kinds of construction
worker. In some areas - such as wood
trades and interior fit-out - the need for
new workers is particularly pressing.
There are a few things that don't
change, though. One is the sense of
achievement that working in construction
can provide: imagine going to work
every day past a house, an office block, a
hospital or even a stadium that you helped
to build, or driving on a road or over a
bridge that you worked on, helping to get
your community to work and drive the
economy forwards. Another is the career
opportunities that are available within
construction. You can enter at almost any
level, from trainee to graduate, and you can
develop skills and knowledge as you work
thanks to the on-the-job training available.
Once you have the skills, a career
in construction can be flexible and
varied. You may start as a labourer,
for example, then go into carpentry or
plumbing. You could even end up running
your own business - the building and
construction industry has more self-

Imagine going to work every day past
a house, an office block or even a
stadium that you helped to build

employed people than any other with
around 167,000, according to a 2014
Office for National Statistics report.

The way in

You don't necessarily need formal
qualifications to enter the industry -
you can start as a labourer and work
your way up, and that doesn't have
to mean you will always work on
building sites. The experience you
gain there could see you move into
planning, management or other roles.
Apprenticeships are a common route
into construction, combining off-thejob learning with on-site experience
and allowing you to gain the skills for
your role while working towards the
qualifications you need to rise through
the ranks. Apprenticeships are highly
valued by employers and can lead you
to great success in an industry where
practical experience matters. You need
to be in full-time employment with a
construction company to be able to
complete an apprenticeship - which are
offered at craft, technical and higher
levels - so you'll be earning as you learn.
You can also study for national
vocational qualifications (NVQs) or
the equivalent Scottish vocational
qualifications (SVQs). These will show
you have the skills to do the job in line
with national occupational standards,
and are gained while you work. To
achieve these qualifications you will
need to have your work observed by an
assessor, either on the job or by examining
a portfolio. NVQs do not have to be
completed in a specified amount of time
(within reason) and there are no age
limits or special entry requirements.
An NVQ is only an option if you're
employed in a suitable position, but if
J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 2 6 3



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018

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