It’s exam results season, so the National Federation of Builders (NFB) is highlighting why construction is a rewarding and exciting career option.
And a career in construction might be the better option financially too:
- The average cost of training an apprentice in construction is around £22,000, typically paid for by the employer.
- The average cost of a degree is more than £28,000, typically paid for through a personal loan.
- On average, those who undertake an apprenticeship are likely to earn £3,729 more per year in their first job than those who have attended university, and over £100,000 more throughout their lifetime than other employees.
- According to The Guardian, the average salary in construction is £45,900.
Career opportunities
- Within the next two years, an estimated 150,000 new workers will be needed in construction.
- In the previous six years, there has been a 60 per cent increase in women starting construction apprenticeships.
- After leaving university, over 90 per cent of Construction and Built Environment (CaBE) students found jobs in their chosen area of study.
- There are many different ways to get into construction, for example, degrees, apprenticeships and T-Levels, which will be introduced in 2020.
- The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) delivers funding every year so that there are always opportunities to retrain or upskill; this includes access to very many short and long term courses.
Working life
- The industry yields some great opportunities to work and live abroad. Many countries see construction as a desired profession and structure their visas to favour those with CaBE and construction qualifications.
- Construction careers are great if you want to work part-time or self-employed. Many do this to better manage their free, family, or learning time while benefiting from good wages.
- Small and medium sized companies (SMEs) train four in five construction apprentices and are the predominant rural employers, so everyone can access the industry.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said: “From drone operators and bricklayers to land buyers and human resource managers, construction is the most inclusive career path out there and offers something for everyone.
A-levels are a great way to start your construction career but it’s an industry that is open to all levels of experience and education. If you enjoy high wages, transferable skills, no two days the same and opportunities to work abroad, then construction is the right industry for you.”
More information can be found at CITB’s GoConstruct Website
