BUILDING YOUR FUTURE. Careers in Construction ROOFER BRICKLAYER PLUMBER DRY LINER APPRENTICE SITE MANAGER GROUNDWORKER SCAFFOLDER ELECTRICIAN

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1 ROOFER BUILDING YOUR FUTURE BRICKLAYER PLUMBER DRY LINER APPRENTICE SITE MANAGER GROUNDWORKER SCAFFOLDER ELECTRICIAN PAINTER & DECORATOR Careers in Construction JOINER/ CARPENTER

2 Bricklayer Bricklayers lay bricks, pre-cut stone, concrete blocks and other types of building blocks in mortar to construct and repair walls, foundations, partitions, arches and other structures. There are no set qualifications to become a Bricklayer but it helps to have GCSEs (A*-C) in Maths and English or equivalent, such as Standard grades or National 4 or 5 or the Welsh Baccalaureate. Employers will be more interested in people who have construction site experience. This can be gained by working as a Labourer and an employer may then train you in bricklaying. The UK construction industry will need to fill an additional 2,870 bricklaying roles to meet demand every year from 2016 until 2020, according to the latest Construction Skills Network research (LMI).

3 Ground worker General Groundworker Operatives mark out the area for a site using string lines strung between stakes and put up huts, ladders, barriers and safety signs. They lay drainage pipes, pavements and manhole covers and use hand machinery such as drills, pumps and compressors. Setting Out Engineers Setting Out Engineers act as the main Technical Advisor on a construction site for subcontractors and Operatives. They are responsible for setting out, levelling and surveying the site. Setting Out Engineers liaise between Design Engineers and the construction team to ensure plans and drawings are accurate and achievable. Although there are no set entry requirements to become a Groundworker, some employers ask for GCSEs or equivalents in Maths and English. It s also an advantage to have some experience on a building site. You can undertake an apprenticeship with a building company offering on-the-job training as well as college tuition. Apprentices usually work towards the NVQ in Construction and Civil Engineering Services (Construction Operations) at Levels 1 and 2. The NVQ includes options in concreting, drainage construction, laying kerbs and channels, and excavating holes and trenches. According to the latest Construction Skills Network research, the UK construction industry will need an additional 3,000 Groundworkers every year for the period

4 Joiner/Carpenter A Carpenter is a trained crafts-person skilled in woodwork. He or she measures, marks, cuts, shapes, fits and finishes timber either by hand or with power tools. You do not need to hold specific qualifications but it is an advantage to have GCSEs or their equivalent. Subjects that are useful for the job are English, Maths, Resistant Materials and Science. Employers generally prefer candidates with experience on building sites. On-site experience can be gained by temporarily working as a Labourer. An apprenticeship with a carpentry or building firm is an excellent path to employment. Some colleges and training providers can assist by introducing potential apprentices to interested employers. As an apprentice you will earn a training qualification known as the Diploma or Technical Certificate and a work-based qualification called an NVQ. You will also gain basic skills in English and Maths (called Functional Skills or Essential Skills in Wales) as well as knowledge of Employee Rights & Responsibilities to help in the workplace, in addition to personal learning and thinking skills. If you cannot enrol onto an apprenticeship, or are swapping careers, training providers and colleges run courses on carpentry and joinery but may charge fees. Ask for details at your local college. The UK construction industry will need an additional 4,320 wood trades and interior fit-out occupations (to include Carpenters) to meet demand every year from 2016 until 2020, according to the latest Construction Skills Network research (LMI).

5 Roofer Roofing Operatives work on the protective layers of a building which separate the inside from the elements using a range of materials, methods and structures. The work is mostly outdoors and at heights. There are a wide range of areas to specialise in, depending on the type of building being worked on and the amount of experience the Roofer has. Roofers must be willing to work at height outdoors in all weather and be able to read plans and cut and shape raw materials. There are no formal requirements to hold qualifications for this career but it helps to have GCSEs, Welsh Baccalaureate, WJEC GCSE, BTECs or Standard Grades/Scottish Nationals. With on the job and off the job training, you would work towards a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) or National Vocational Qualification (NVQ in Cladding Occupations (Construction): Roof, Sheeting and Cladding at Levels 2 and 3 (SCQF levels 4 and 5). Many Roofing Operatives start out as apprentices with a roofing or building firm. According to the latest Construction Skills Network research, the UK construction industry will need an additional 1,360 Roofers every year for the period Case Study I left school at 15. I finished my exams and couldn t get a job, so I started working with my uncle. But it wasn t full time so I kept applying for different jobs and then I saw an apprenticeship come up for the Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative. So I was on a site and I applied for Granger. I had the interview and got the job. I m really enjoying it.

6 Electrician Electricians install, inspect and test electrical equipment making sure everything in a building works properly and, above all, safely. They are highly in demand. The job carries great responsibility because an Electrician s work must meet very strict safety regulations. He or she must keep up-to-date with different types of legislation covering electrical equipment. An apprenticeship is a good way into a career as an Electrician. You usually need at least four GCSEs Grade A*-C or equivalent such as the Welsh Baccalaureate, including English or Welsh, Maths and Science. As an apprentice, you study towards NVQ Level 3, which includes preparation and installation of electrical wiring systems. This also covers inspecting, testing and commissioning an electrical installation and health and safety at work. Apprentices work towards Functional Skills Level 2 (English, Mathematics & ICT) or Essential Skills in Wales. View video According to the latest Construction Skills Network research, the UK construction industry will need an additional 2,030 Electrical Trades and Installation people every year for the period

7 Plumber A Plumber is in charge of anything that involves pipework on a construction site or in people s homes. Plumbers are in demand and are needed on a wide variety of projects to install systems in new buildings and fix or maintain existing ones. A Plumber s many skills are also needed to fit weatherproof materials, joints and flashings to roofs, chimneys and walls. Some Plumbers design systems, plan work activities and have some responsibility for improving business products and supervising other people. Many Plumbers start their career as an apprentice. Apprentices study towards an NVQ Diploma/SVQ Level 2 or 3 and are taught about the maintenance and installation of various plumbing components and systems. They also work towards Functional Skills Level 2 (English, Mathematics & ICT at Level 1) or in Wales, Essential Skills. There is strong competition for places on plumbing courses, so it is helpful to have good GCSE grades (or their equivalent, such as the Welsh Baccalaureate or WJEC Construction & the Built Environment L1 or 2 Awards). To stand the best chance you need at least four at grades A*-C including English or Welsh, Maths and Science. The UK construction industry will need an additional 840 plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning roles to meet demand every year from 2016 until 2020, according to the latest Construction Skills Network research (LMI).

8 Dry liner A Dry liner creates the walls and rooms in new a building. They also hide pipes and wires, create space for insulation and smooth out uneven surfaces during renovation work. These tradespeople are skilled in building the internal walls in all types of buildings, using metal stud partitioning and plasterboard sheets. They also put in partitions that can move location later if need be, along with suspended ceilings and raised flooring. It s an interesting and satisfying career because a Dry liner helps a new building to take shape actually creating the rooms and corridors where people live. They also help to change the layout of a place that is taking on a new purpose. There are no formal academic qualifications necessary to become a Dry liner, although for England and Wales it is generally recommended to achieve a GCSE in Mathematics and English (Welsh in Wales) at grade C or above and the Welsh Baccalaureate (Foundation or National) in Wales, or for Scotland Standard Grades, National 4/5s. You could then complete an NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Interior Systems (Construction) which contains specialist units which relate to this job role. The UK construction industry will need an additional 790 Dryliners to meet demand every year from 2016 until 2020, according to the latest Construction Skills Network research (LMI).

9 Painter & Decorator A Painter and Decorator makes walls and ceilings aesthetically attractive using paint, wallpaper and other finishes. They are in demand across the construction industry and master a range of techniques for making places look good, often training in new skills throughout their career. Specialist techniques include applying decorative paint finishes such as stencils, colour glaze, graining, marbling and lettering. A Painter and Decorator s job includes establishing what materials are needed for a particular project by taking measurements, looking at job specifications or drawings. They then get started on the work by erecting scaffolding, cradles and ladders and putting out dust sheets to protect areas from dripping paint. View video School leavers can choose to go straight into employment, either directly with a business or as an apprentice for a painting and decorating company. You will usually train on the job with day or block release at a local college or training centre. A Level 2 apprenticeship will take up to 2 years to complete you can then progress on to Level 3 with an additional year of college and training. Once you are qualified as a Painter & Decorator you can do further training in techniques specific to the business you are working for. For example, you can work towards an NVQ Level 3 in decorative finishing and industrial painting. According to the latest Construction Skills Network research, the UK construction industry will need an additional 2,230 Painter & Decorators every year for the period

10 Scaffolder Scaffolders put up and take down the big metal structures erected around buildings that need work doing to them. Their work includes unloading scaffolding equipment on-site, putting up scaffolding poles (standards) and attaching them to horizontal tubes (ledgers). They are also responsible for fixing scaffolding to buildings or structures to make them more stable and for laying planks (battens) for workers to walk on. They fix guard rails and safety netting and take it down again after the work is complete. There are no formal requirements to become a trainee Scaffolder but it helps to have Standard Grades or National 4 or 5s, GCSEs in English & Maths at grades A* - C or equivalent such as the Welsh Baccalaureate. Employers are keen to see some on-site experience. If you do not have this you could work as a scaffolding Labourer to start with. Your employer might then train you as a Scaffolder. You may also be able to do an apprenticeship an 11-week training programme completed over a two-year period. This earns you the CISRS Scaffolders card, a Construction Diploma Level 2, NVQ Level 2, Functional Skills Level 1 and a Health and Safety Test (Essential Skills in Wales). According to the latest Construction Skills Network research, the UK construction industry will need an additional 350 Scaffolders every year for the period

11 Apprentice Site Manager Site Managers are responsible for day-to-day running of a Construction Project. They are employed to prepare sites prior to the commencement of construction work, to plan projects and ensure that they meet agreed specifications, budgets and time scales, and to oversee building work. It is essential to keep up-to-date with legislation, compliance and reporting requirements through regular training and continuous professional development (CPD). View video This means attending training courses, seminars and conferences to understand the current issues and refresh your skills and knowledge. Most large firms offer structured training. As a school leaver, you can apply through Construction Skills for a Modern Apprenticeship, after taking a group of subjects at Standard grade or National 5. Subjects should include English, Maths and Science or Technological subjects. You can then study part-time for an HNC or HND. Once qualified with experience, you can also become Chartered. Becoming Chartered means you have proved you are highly experienced and skilled at doing your job. It is comparable to a Bachelor s degree and is recognised worldwide. Becoming Chartered can enhance your career prospects, increase your salary and boost the professionalism of your organisation. There are many routes to becoming Chartered. Whether you are a graduate, have technical or vocational qualifications or have simply built up years of experience, you can choose the path that best suits you. According to the latest Construction Skills Network research, the UK construction industry will need an additional 630 Site Managers every year for the period The majority of this demand will be in the South West, followed by a fairly even spread across West Midlands and Northern Ireland.