Construction apprenticeships

Providing a route into the growing property and construction industry, construction apprenticeships allow you to develop your skills and knowledge in a specialist area, such as architecture, quantity surveying or construction management

What is a construction apprenticeship?

It's typically a paid opportunity to work for a construction company and learn on the job while studying towards a recognised qualification related to the field. You'll be involved in designing, constructing, or maintaining civil and structural engineering projects, such as houses and commercial/industrial buildings.

Property and real estate apprenticeships are also available for those interested in commercial, planning, infrastructure, and sales roles.

Due to the industry's diverse nature, you could be based in an office, workshop, or outdoors on a construction site.

What are the different levels for a construction apprenticeship?

• Intermediate - Level 2, equivalent to GCSEs.
• Advanced - Level 3, equivalent to A-level.
• Higher - Levels 4 and 5, equivalent to a foundation degree.
• Degree - Levels 6 and 7, equivalent to a Bachelors and Masters respectively.

What areas do they cover?

Construction apprenticeships can be found in both traditional trades and specialist occupations.

The former includes key construction site roles, such as:

• bricklaying
• carpentry
• lifting
• plastering
• plumbing
• roofing
• steel work
• welding.

To explore these trade skills in greater detail, read our guide to trade apprenticeships.

Alternatively, you could work on planning, design and management in areas such as:

• architecture
• building
• construction management
• building/quantity surveying
• site supervision
• sustainability
• town planning.

In the property sector, you can start your career with building, construction management and property management apprenticeships, as well as in commercial and IT functions with larger employers.

What professional pathways are available?

The professional routes into construction, which involve studying for recognised qualifications approved by the industry's leading bodies, typically relate to surveying, architecture, town planning and engineering.

For instance, accredited pathways for building surveyor apprenticeships are available through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). These Level 6 programmes can lead to qualifying as a chartered surveyor. You can also read about these 9 graduate careers for surveyors.

If you're exploring becoming an architect, the following architecture degree apprenticeships are available:

• Architectural Assistant (Level 6) - the apprenticeship results in a Bachelors degree and Part 1 qualification.
• Architect (Level 7) - it leads to a Masters of Architecture (MArch) award and Part 2 and 3 qualifications.

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) offers two apprenticeship pathways:

• Town Planning Assistant Apprenticeship (Level 4) - a standalone qualification (can also lead to the degree apprenticeship below) for those looking to provide technical and administrative support for chartered town planners.
• Chartered Town Planner Degree Apprenticeship (Levels 4 to 7) - with two entry points available, this qualification takes three to six years to complete and results in achieving the Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) designation.

You may also be interested in engineering apprenticeships within the construction industry.

Which construction companies offer apprenticeships?

• Amey - apprenticeships at intermediate, advanced, higher and degree levels. Programmes are available in civil engineering, environmental practice, grounds maintenance, highways, construction site supervision, and rail systems.
• Arup - advanced and higher apprenticeships in building services, civil engineering, quantity surveying, rail design, transport planning and more.
• Balfour Beatty - apprenticeships in civil and mechanical engineering, quantity surveying, highway maintenance and construction management at intermediate, advanced, higher and degree levels.
• Barratt Redrow - higher and degree apprenticeships in technical (engineering and design), commercial (quantity surveying and buying) or trade roles (bricklaying and carpentry).
• Dalcour Maclaren - a five-year degree programme with the utility and infrastructure firm that leads to the chartered town planner designation.
• JLL - degree apprenticeships in residential and commercial surveying, based in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London and Manchester.
• Mott MacDonald - advanced, degree and Scottish modern apprenticeships in civil engineering, transport planning, building services engineering, quantity surveying and project management.
• Savills - a Level 6 chartered surveying apprenticeship leading to an undergraduate degree and the MRICS designation. They also offer chartered planning apprenticeships at Level 7, which result in an MRTPI award.
• Skanska - covering all apprenticeship levels, roles include civil engineer, mechanical and electrical engineer, and operations positions such as plumbing and welding.
• United Utilities - a six-year quantity surveyor degree apprenticeship that results in the chartered surveyor qualification.
• Vistry Group - a Level 4 trainee management apprenticeship programme that provides the skills required for careers in construction, quantity surveying, estimating or design and technical.
• Willmott Dixon - choose from a selection of Level 3 apprenticeships in business support, supply chain and trades such as bricklaying.

See the property and construction industry overview to discover other relevant industry employers.

What are the entry requirements?

Construction apprenticeships are typically aimed at school and college leavers as a viable alternative to university. They equip construction workers with the required skills to work on-site.

For apprenticeships in England, you must be 16 or over, eligible to work in England, and not studying full time. There's no upper age limit.

The level of each apprenticeship will determine who has the right qualifications and attributes to apply:

• Intermediate and advanced apprenticeships (Levels 2 and 3) are for those leaving school with GCSEs. You'll usually need four or five passes, including good grades in English and maths.
• Higher and degree apprenticeships (Levels 4 to 7) are geared towards those with two or three A-level passes in relevant subjects or those who've already completed an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship.

In many cases, successful completion of an apprenticeship will lead to a permanent job offer with the same company, although this isn't guaranteed - always check with your employer.

Many employers in the construction industry are committed to attracting a diverse range of candidates for their apprenticeship schemes. For instance, Amey, Balfour Beatty, and Barratt Redrow are members of The 5% Club to ensure that learning and development are available to all.

What's involved in a construction apprenticeship?

The content of your building and construction apprenticeship will vary considerably depending on its level and subject.

For example, the two-year Level 2 and 3 Bricklayer Apprenticeship offered by the Leeds College of Building allows apprentices to develop skills in using bricklaying tools, building simple brick/block walls and adopting modern construction methods such as timber frame cladding.

Meanwhile, on the RTPI's Chartered Town Planner Degree Apprenticeship, apprentices spend up to six years gaining knowledge in planning law, policy and sustainability while developing skills in preparing plans, policies and related documents, creative vision and design and project management.

A detailed overview of what's involved in a specific apprenticeship can typically be found on the employer's website.

For more general information on apprenticeships, see our essential guide to apprenticeships.

How much will I be paid?

All apprentices are paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which currently stands at £6.40 per hour (from April 2024) for apprentices under 19 and those aged over 19 who are in their first year.

If you're over 19 and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you must be paid the minimum wage rate for your age. To check you're being paid enough, visit GOV.UK - National Minimum Wage rates.

You'll find that many employers offer over and above the NMW. For example:

• Amey - £24,637 for its Level 4 Construction Site Supervisor Apprenticeship.
• Barratt Redrow - £15,311.40 for its Level 2 Joiner Apprenticeship in Wichelstowe, South West England.
• Dalcour Maclaren - £19,500 for its apprentice environmental planner.
• Skanska - £16,800 to £23,860 for its Quantity Surveyor Apprenticeship.
• United Utilities - £19,000 plus an annual bonus of at least 7.5%.
• WSP - £23,000 for its Civil Engineering (Building Structures) Degree Apprenticeship in Southampton.

In 2025, pay for construction apprentices ranges from £15,000 to £25,000.

As an apprentice, you'll be paid for your regular working hours and any training in your scheme. You're entitled to at least 20 days' paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.

Where can I find construction apprenticeships?

You can find details of how and when to apply for apprenticeships on employers' websites.

Alternatively, search for opportunities at GOV.UK - Find an apprenticeship. Select the 'construction and the built environment' filter.

Construction apprenticeships are also listed, along with more general information about the qualification and your career options, on the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) website.

Another helpful resource on construction apprenticeships is Go Construct - Apprenticeships. This resource offers tips on finding employers, submitting applications and preparing for interviews.

When and how do I apply?

Apprenticeships are typically advertised throughout the year as and when vacancies become available, but some employers set application windows for each year's intake.

For example, applications for most of Arup's apprenticeship programmes open in late October. Alternatively, you can apply for one of Skanska's apprenticeship schemes from February.

The application process typically involves completing an online form and then attending an interview. Learn more about how to apply for an apprenticeship.

Find out more

• Consider studying a construction management course.
• Explore property and construction jobs.
• Read our 6 tips for getting into civil engineering.