What you need to know about construction apprenticeships

When it comes to getting into construction, one of the best ways to do this, whether it’s after leaving school or just to get into the trade, is as an apprentice. 

Apprentices are the future of the industry. The tools and techniques they learn will hopefully see them pass on their wisdom years down the line to someone else in the position they once were.  

The apprentice scheme is something we are passionate about at Multifix, with it being something that we follow.  

The reason we do this is because apprenticeships are a great step for young people to take to get into the industry and sees them gain an education, while being paid to do so.  

Therefore, in this article, we will outline the key information you have to take into account when you are looking for a construction apprenticeship.  

What exactly is an apprenticeship?

So, first and foremost, an apprenticeship is a paid job that lasts a minimum of 12 months and is applicable to anyone who is 16 or over.  

It’s a mixture of practical and academic learning and you’ll be working under experienced staff members, who have been in the field for years.  

If you have a full-time apprenticeship, you’ll be working 30-40 hours a week and during this time, you will be given tasks to do, in addition to your work duties.  

On average, you’ll spend about six hours a week doing off-the-job training, which can include coursework.  

How many types of apprenticeships are there available? 

There are four different types of apprenticeships, varying in different levels of what they can unlock for you. These are: 

- Intermediate (Level 2) 
- Advanced (Level 3) 
- Higher level (Levels 4, 5 and 6) 
- Degree level (Level 7) 

Intermediate is the equivalent of five GCSEs at 9-4 level, or in old money, A*-C. Advanced is the equivalent of two A-Levels or a Level 3 Diploma and Higher level is the equivalent of a Foundation degree.  

The degree level itself is the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree. Each stage will have their own entry requirements, which will be made clear to you before you apply.  

In this sense, it’s no different applying for a job that asks for x qualification or y years of experience, but naturally, with Intermediate, you are likely to find much fewer requirements than for degree level.  

How do I get an apprenticeship?

There are a few ways to get an apprenticeship sorted, but be aware that it is no different to applying for a job. There is a lot of competition and it’ll likely require applications to multiple companies.  

Online is the best bet, especially on job-seeking websites like Indeed or TotalJobs. It’s also worth looking at LinkedIn, too.  

Also, by using TalentView, you can directly apply for construction apprenticeships You can find out more and do so here. 

If you’re still in school or college, it’s very much worth speaking to people there as they will be able to put you in contact with potential employers.  

In the same manner, asking friends and family is another good way. So much of how the world works is based on who you know, so if you have a family friend or a relative who can maybe help you, it’s certainly a path worth exploring.  

Another good way is to look at construction companies’ websites and see if they have any apprenticeship listings on there. Keeping your finger on the pulse of their social activity can help with that too, as some will post job listings on social media.  

Finally, it’s worth noting that depending on certain circumstances, it’s possible that a hiring company can earn up to £14,000 by taking you on as an apprentice. They would earn this money through either the Construction Industry Training Board or the UK Government. 

This can be used as a sales pitch by you, as if they get the full amount, that will offset a significant proportion of your wages.  

If I get one sorted, what happens when it finishes?

A number of things can happen at this point, but what is guaranteed is that you will get a qualification for completing your apprenticeship.  

This makes you more employable and is something you can take anywhere with you. At the end of your apprenticeship though, your employer may wish to offer you full-time employment if they are happy with you. 

Alternatively, you could be put onto a higher-level apprenticeship with them, which further bolsters your skills and gives you more strings to your bow. It’s also very likely that you’ll earn more money being on a higher-level apprenticeship as well, so that’s always a good thing.  

Equally, you may feel as if you want to explore further options. You may want to pursue an apprenticeship elsewhere, or work for someone else. In this case, you’ll still have the qualification, so you’ll be well-prepped.  

The future of construction

Apprentices have a huge part to play in any sector, but that statement is especially prevalent in the construction industry. 

Whether you want to be a carpenter, bricklayer, site manager or any of the other many, many roles within the sector, one of the best ways to go about it is via the apprenticeship route.  

Hopefully after reading this article, you’ll have some more information about the scheme and who knows, maybe it’ll be the first step on what could be a long and successful journey in construction.  

If you would like to find more information about Multifix’s apprenticeship scheme, which we mentioned earlier on in the article, you can get in touch with us here.