Your apprenticeship

An apprenticeship combines learning at a college or training provider with on-site experience, to give you the right mix of knowledge, technical and practical skills.

Construction apprenticeships

Plastering, scaffolding, bricklaying and carpentry are just a few of the wide variety of apprenticeships available in construction. You might be familiar with some of the choices, but there are plenty of others that might just surprise you. You can find out more about what's available on Go Construct.

What will I be doing as an apprentice?

You'll be working for a company operating in the construction industry. The days are often long and it can be hard work but the rewards are excellent if you stick with it.

Employers vary in size from small businesses to large national and even international companies, so there could be plenty of opportunity to travel, maybe even abroad. You may also need to live away from home, so being independent will help you adjust quickly to your new life.

Naturally, you'll start at the bottom of the ladder learning how to do everything correctly, but as your skills and knowledge increase you'll be given more demanding, challenging and rewarding tasks. Many employers started out as an apprentice themselves and are now running their own successful businesses.

Your day will normally start before 8am, so that means you'll have to be up early to get to the site or workshop and you'll usually have to find your own way there. As well as leaving enough time for travelling, you'll also need to make your own arrangements to get there.

There is a minimum wage of £95 per week to start with but if you work hard and your skills and experience increase, so will your wage. Some employers pay more than this from the outset.

Apprentices don't save all their money, some of it will be needed for your new social life with the friends you've met at work and college. You'll have to keep some back to buy some quality tools as well, as this is just the start of your life as a tradesman and having the right equipment is vital if you want to progress.

You'll constantly learn new skills at college and put them into practice in a real working environment. These skills are vital to your apprenticeship and you'll need to record what you've done in your qualifications portfolio to prove you are competent in your chosen trade.

Find out what apprentices think of their careers at Go Construct

Which nation do you live in?

There are a wide variety of apprenticeship opportunities available in England.

What you need to know

An apprenticeship usually lasts between two and four years depending on where you are based and what level of qualification you are studying for.

Earn as you learn

As an apprentice, you will:

  • be in full-time employment

  • be paid at least National Minimum Wage for Apprentices - many apprentices earn considerably more

  • gain a nationally recognised qualification

  • get hands-on experience to help you develop the skills you need to kick start a successful career.

On the job training should be structured and agreed with your employer to ensure you learn the right skills.

Off the job training should be arranged for you at a college or training centre. You can complete this training on day release or over consecutive days in a series of blocks.

Levels of apprenticeship

  • Level 2 - which is equivalent to GCSEs/Standard Grades

  • Level 3 - which is equivalent to A Levels/Highers

  • Level 4 - which is equivalent to Foundation Degree/Advanced Highers.

What you'll get from an Apprenticeship

Qualifications as well as skills

Most apprentices follow a Traditional Apprenticeship route, which combines college or training provider attendance with learning on site.

As part of your apprenticeship, you will achieve an Apprenticeship Standard which will demonstrate that you are competent to do your job. You can also use this to qualify for one of the industry card schemes, which are essential for getting on site.

Specialist Applied-skills Programmes - SAP

CITB Specialist Applied-skills programmes have been designed with trade associations and independent training groups. They provide training for those sectors and employers that can't access specialist apprenticeships through local colleges or training providers.

People working in specialist trades need to be very flexible with learning, so Specialist applied-skills programmes allow apprentices to learn mostly while on the job. There is still a structure to what you learn though, which makes sure you get all the knowledge and skills you need to earn a recognised NVQ qualification.

Typically, a Specialist applied-skills programme lasts for two years with the learning delivered by industry experts and supported by CITB's own staff.

Shared Apprenticeship Services 

Shared Apprenticeship Services (formerly - Shared Apprenticeship Scheme) is a different approach to apprenticeships within construction in England and Wales.

Apprentices are fully employed from the first day of training in the trade of their choice, and are placed with a range of employers to gain on-site experience. Once the apprenticeship has been completed, the service helps the apprentice find permanent employment within their chosen trade.

Find out more about Shared Apprenticeship Services

CITB Apprenticeships are available in Scotland

A CITB Modern Apprenticeship usually lasts between two and four years depending on where you are based and what level of qualification you are studying for. During this time you will be allocated an Apprenticeship Development Officer to support and guide you through your training programme.

Earn as you learn

As an apprentice, you will:

  • be in full-time employment

  • be paid at least National Minimum Wage for Apprentices - many apprentices earn considerably more

  • gain a nationally recognised qualification

  • get hands-on experience to help you develop the skills you need to kick start a successful career.

On the job training is structured and agreed with your employer to ensure you learn the right skills.

Off the job training is arranged for you at a college or training centre. You can complete this training on day release or over consecutive days in a series of blocks.

Levels of apprenticeship

  • The CITB Apprenticeship Scheme offers apprenticeships at three levels,

  • SCQF Level 5 – which is equivalent to National 4

  • SCQF Level 6 which is equivalent Highers

  • SCQF Level 7 – which is equivalent to HNC

An apprenticeship can take two to four years to complete.

What you'll get from a CITB Apprenticeship

Qualifications as well as skills

Most apprentices follow a Modern Apprenticeship route, which combines college or training provider attendance with learning on site.

As part of your apprenticeship, you will achieve an SVQ which includes Core Skills this is the recognised qualification to show you can do your job. You can also use this to qualify for one of the industry card schemes, which are essential for getting on site.

An apprenticeship combines on-site experience with college learning to provide the right balance of training and real life experience, offering the opportunity to earn while you learn.

As an apprentice, you will:

  • be in full-time employment

  • be paid at least National Minimum Wage for Apprentices - many apprentices earn considerably more

  • gain a nationally recognised qualification

  • get hands-on experience to help you develop the skills you need to kick start a successful career.

On the job training is structured and agreed with your employer to ensure you learn the right skills.

Off the job training is arranged for you at a college or training centre. You can complete this training on day release or over consecutive days in a series of blocks.

Levels of apprenticeship

There are different levels of apprenticeships, allowing you to enter at a level that is right for you and progress in your career. Each varies in duration, entry requirements and delivery. Level 4 and above is for people who want to progress into Technical, Design and Management careers.

Foundation apprenticeships (Level 2)

A foundation apprenticeship is the first step on the apprenticeship ladder. It is equivalent to five good GCSE passes. They typically take 12 to 24 months to complete.

Apprenticeships (Level 3)

An advanced apprenticeship is equivalent to two A Levels. Applicants for technical apprenticeships should ideally have five C’s in GCSEs Maths and English or Welsh first language or above.

Applicants for trade apprenticeships should two GCSEs Maths and English or Welsh first language at grade D and above, or have completed a Level 1 or Level 2 full time equivalent construction course.

They typically take 12 to 42 months to complete.

Apprentices can work towards Level 3 work-based qualifications, such as a NVQ or an apprenticeship qualification.

Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4 - 5)

Higher apprenticeships are programmes designed to meet employers’ needs at advanced skill levels and include qualifications at a level equivalent to higher education (HE). Applicants should ideally have five C in GCSEs Maths and English or Welsh. They take two years to complete, and often specialise in management-based skills.

Degree Apprenticeships (Level 6 – 7)

Degree apprenticeships typically last three to five years and are a popular training route in sectors such as quantity surveying and commercial management, building surveying, construction management and civil engineering. CITB are supporting a fully funded pathway in these areas at the following universities – University of South Wales, Wrexham University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint Davids. The universities will have set entry requirements for candidates.

What you'll get from an apprenticeship

Qualifications as well as skills

Most apprentices follow a Traditional Apprenticeship route, which combines college (or training provider) attendance with learning on site. As part of your apprenticeship, you will achieve a nationally recognised qualifications in your chosen trade. You will also qualify for one of the industry card schemes, essential for getting on site.

Shared Apprenticeship Services

Shared Apprenticeship Services (formerly - Shared Apprenticeship Scheme) is a different approach to apprenticeships within construction in England and Wales.

Apprentices are fully employed from the first day of training in the trade of their choice, and are placed with a range of employers to gain on-site experience. Once the apprenticeship has been completed, the service helps the apprentice find permanent employment within their chosen trade.

Find out more about Shared Apprenticeship Services

More information