How to Get Started in the Construction Industry: A Guide for New Workers

The construction industry offers a world of opportunity, whether you're starting from scratch or transitioning from another field. This guide has been written to walk you through the essential steps to launch your career in construction.

Understand the Industry

The first, and perhaps the most important at this point, is to take time to learn about  the construction industry and the various roles that exist, which may help with the later decision of what to specialise in. It may be that you have previous experience in a similar field or this is your first foray into the area. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to specialise in one field or you’re open to a range of roles. However you’re approaching your research, there are a wide range of construction roles to look into, including:

•    General Labourers - assist skilled tradespeople on site
•    Carpenters - specialise in woodwork for structures and interiors
•    Electricians/Plumbers - handle electrical wiring and water systems
•    Equipment/Plant Operators - operate heavy machinery like cranes and excavators
•    Site Supervisors/Project Managers - oversee and coordinate construction projects

With all of these roles (and more), there are a number of training schemes and qualifications to explore to gain knowledge and skills to ultimately build yourself a career.

Start to gain Basic Skills and Qualifications

Once you know which area of construction you would like to explore further (and there may be more than one), the next move is to look into the training and qualifications required. While some roles require little experience and you can in theory learn on the job, others demand specific qualifications – for example, you cannot operate certain types of Plant machinery without qualifications such as CPCS or NPORS.

Some of the most popular schemes to look into:

•    Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS): Most UK construction cards require the majority of workers to hold a current CSCS card. This scheme has been designed to ensure all  those working on site have a deep level understanding of health and safety practices. CSCS cards are valid for five years. Exceptions may apply to site visitors or those in office based roles, however this would be dependent on the site in question.

•    Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS): CPCS courses relate to the safe operation and handling of specific Plant machinery; there are a huge range to choose from including Forklift, Crane, Dumper Truck and Lorry Loader courses. The CPCS Certification Card scheme proves the skills of plant operators and is the mostly widely recognised scheme for plant safety. 

•    Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Courses: Looking into courses like the CITB Site Safety Plus suite can help you get started. CITB courses cover a range of training areas including health and safe, site management and supervision, environmental awareness, temporary works and site behaviours. There are also specialist courses such as safety when working in the tunnel construction industry.

•    Safety Passport Training (SPA): The Safety Pass Alliance (SPA) has developed a range of training courses, which cover a number of different industry sectors including construction, manufacturing and utilities. Specific courses relating to construction in this suite include the SPA Core Construction Safety Passport, which shows you have been trained to a basic safety standard for working in construction. 

•    Basic Skills Courses: Develop essential skills like tower climbing, cable avoidance, harness safety and health and safety awareness. These will all help to further your knowledge and your career in the construction industry.

There are many more construction related training schemes to explore such as Working at Height, IPAF, PASMA, First Aid and Scaffold Training; you can find more over on our website: www.bookmycourse.co.uk. 

Choose a Specialisation

Once you've gained a basic understanding of the construction industry, and had the chance to investigate into different career options and training courses, it could be time to decide whether you want to work as a general labourer, or move into a specialist area. There is no right or wrong route as all construction roles are vital, so this decision must be based on what you feel is right for you and your family. 

Specialist areas to consider may include:

•    Bricklaying
•    Scaffolding
•    Roofing
•    Plumbing
•    Plant Operation
•    Health and Safety
•    Environmental Responsibility

Onsite Experience

Whether you’ve decided on a specific route or you’d prefer to start work and then see what is best for you, gaining hands-on experience is invaluable. There are a number of routes to actually getting onto a construction site, but remember – the more knowledge you have when you interview, even if you have never actually taken an official training course, the more likely you are to get the job you want. 

•    Apply for Apprenticeships: These programs allow you to earn while you learn. A common myth is that apprenticeships are only for the young, however this isn’t the case. Anyone of any age can apply for an apprenticeship – wages are likely to be lower at this point which older entrants may find a barrier depending on their personal commitments, however there is no reason why, if an apprenticeship could work for you, that you shouldn’t go for it regardless of age and experience.

•    Seek Entry-Level Jobs: Many employers offer training for new workers, so if you do have knowledge of the training you may need this could be seen as desirable to your potential new employers.

Build Your Career

Once you’ve started, the best advice we can give you is to continue to upskill and expand your knowledge. Consider taking advanced courses like NRSWA (New Roads and Street Works Act) or pursuing supervisory roles. The more skills you acquire, the more doors will open for career advancement.
If you’re ready to take the first step, give us a call – we have thousands of course dates and hundreds of locations nationwide. You can visit us online at https://www.bookmycourse.co.uk/ , call our booking hotline on 01933 233884 or email us at [email protected]