Exam results days can confirm the plans you already had, open up new possibilities or make you rethink what you want to do next.
Whatever your results, construction is a career worth choosing in its own right. It offers hundreds of different roles, from skilled trades such as bricklaying and carpentry to surveying, engineering, sustainability, digital construction, design, project management and business ownership.
There are different ways to get started too. You could earn while you learn through an apprenticeship, study at college, take a T Level or follow a university route.
And the choice you make at 16 or 18 do not have to define your whole career. Construction offers clear progression routes and opportunities to continue developing your skills throughout your working life.
Got your GCSE or A level results? Start with our results-day action plan →
Top takeaways about construction careers
- Construction offers hundreds of careers and different ways to get started.
- Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn in more than 100 construction roles.
- Better or worse results do not mean you have to stick with your original plan.
- Courses may still have places after results day, while apprenticeship vacancies are advertised throughout the year.
- Construction can lead to skilled, technical and management roles, self-employment and business ownership.
Why choose a career in construction?
There’s much more to a career in construction than working on a building site.
Construction needs people who can work with their hands, solve technical problems, use digital technology, design, manage projects and lead teams.
It also offers the chance to keep developing your skills and progressing throughout your career. For some, that journey can eventually lead to self-employment or running a construction business.
And the work itself matters. People working in construction help to create and improve the homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure our communities rely on, as well as tackling challenges such as sustainability and achieving net zero carbon emissions.
There is demand for new people too. Construction training organisation CITB predicts that the industry will need an extra 41,000 workers a year over the next four years.
What kind of construction career could suit you?
You do not need to know the name of your future job at 16, or even at 18. A better place to start is thinking about what you enjoy and what you are good at.
Like making things and working with your hands?
Skilled trades include bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and plastering.
Good at solving problems or working with numbers?
You could explore technical and commercial careers such as estimating, quantity surveying and building surveying.
Interested in design, engineering or technology?
Careers include architectural technology, civil engineering and computer-aided design (CAD), alongside areas such as building information modelling (BIM) and digital construction.
Like organising people and making things happen?
Construction needs site managers, project managers and contracts managers to help bring projects together.
Interested in the environment and protecting our future?
Retrofit and sustainability are among the future-focused areas within construction
Want to work for yourself one day?
Self-employment and construction business ownership are also career options within the industry.
Construction is broader still. People within the industry also work in marketing, administration, finance, design and management.
What are the routes into construction?
There’s no single route into construction, and no route that’s better than another. The right choice depends on the career you’re interested in and how you want to learn.
Apprenticeships: earn while you learn
A construction apprenticeship combines paid employment with training.
You are employed and earn a wage while gaining hands-on experience and working towards an industry-recognised qualification.
Apprenticeships:
- Any age from 16+
- Take between one and five years to complete.
- Are available across more than 100 construction roles, with more being added.
- Split your time between an employer and training provider.
- Focus on developing skills for a particular job.
- Zero tuition fees – start your career debt-free and earn while you learn
Entry requirements vary between apprenticeships and employers. Some require GCSEs or equivalent, particularly in English and maths, while others place greater emphasis on enthusiasm, practical skills and willingness to learn.
T Levels: combine study with industry experience
T Levels blend classroom learning with a work-based placement.
Most students start T level courses after GCSEs, from age 16, and courses last two years and include a minimum of 45 days spent on an industry placement. You gain a technical qualification and there are no tuition fees.
Traineeships: prepare for work or an apprenticeship (England and Wales)
A traineeship can help you prepare for work if you have little or no work experience and are unemployed. Lasting between 2 weeks to 6 months, you spend time learning on the job alongside additional study, helping you build relevant skills and gain work experience.
Traineeships:
- The standard age requirement is 16-25 in England, or over 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The age requirement is 16-18 in Wales
- Help prepare you for a job or apprenticeship.
- Combine on-the-job learning with additional study.
- Can help you develop relevant skills for your CV.
- Give you work experience and a chance to see if a role is right for you.
- Are usually unpaid and do not guarantee a job at the end.
College or training providers: build your skills and qualifications
College or a training provider can help you develop the technical, vocational or academic skills you need for your next step.
Course lengths vary and, depending on the provider, you may be able to study towards qualifications including NVQs, City and Guilds, Higher National Diplomas, BTECs, A Levels, Access courses for university entry or GCSEs. Age and entry requirements vary by course and level.
Courses can prepare you for a particular career or help you progress to higher-level qualifications.
University: work towards an academic or vocational route
Construction also offers university routes – which you can typically access with further study after GCSEs, including A levels, BTECs, HNCs or HNDs. Heading to university after age 18 can open up careers in fields including:
- Construction management
- Surveying
- Architecture / architectural technology
- Civil or structural engineering
- Town planning
- Ecology / environmental consultation
- Heritage conservation
Full-time degrees typically take three to four years and many construction-related degrees offer a year in industry, combining academic study with workplace experience. However, it’s worth considering how you will finance the cost of university.
Work experience: find out whether construction is for you
If you are interested but not yet sure which direction to take, work experience can give you a closer look at the industry.
It can help you understand different jobs, develop skills for your CV and make industry connections. Opportunities may be advertised by employers, or you can approach an employer to try to arrange a placement yourself.
What could you earn in construction?
Earnings vary depending on your role, location, employer and experience, but construction can offer strong earning potential as your skills and career develop.
| Career area | Example roles | Indicative salary | Earnings potential |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Skilled trades |
Bricklayer, carpenter, plumber, electrician, plasterer |
£25,000–£30,000 |
£40,000–£60,000+ |
|
Technical and commercial |
Estimator, quantity surveyor, building surveyor |
Around £25,000 |
£65,000–£75,000 in senior roles |
|
Design and engineering |
Architectural technologist, civil engineer, computer-aided design (CAD) technician |
£25,000–£30,000 |
£50,000–£70,000+ |
|
Project and site management |
Site manager, project manager, contracts manager |
£30,000–£40,000 |
£60,000–£75,000+ |
|
Future-focused roles |
Retrofit, sustainability, building information modelling (BIM), digital construction |
£25,000–£35,000 |
£50,000–£70,000+ |
|
Business ownership |
Self-employed tradesperson, construction business owner |
Varies |
Experienced business owners can earn well in excess of £50,000 |
These are indicative UK salaries based on Go Construct data. Actual earnings vary by role, location, employer and experience.
Got your results? Start here
You do not need to decide your whole career today. You just need to work out your next step.
Your exam results-day action plan
Already applied for a college or training provider course?
- Get your results and check them.
- Find the enrolment instructions from your college or training provider.
- Follow the instructions to confirm your place. You may need to do this online or attend an enrolment appointment.
- If you are not sure what to do, phone the admissions team and ask.
Haven't applied for a course yet?
- Find colleges and training providers offering construction courses in your area.
- Check which courses interest you.
- Phone the college or training provider as soon as possible.
- Ask whether places are still available and what you need to do to apply.
- Follow their application or enrolment instructions.
Many colleges continue to accept applications over the summer where places are available, so do not assume you are too late.
Want a construction apprenticeship?
- Search for current construction apprenticeship vacancies.
- You can also find apprenticeship opportunities in employer listings as well as through local training providers and collages.
- Read the entry requirements for each opportunity.
- Get your CV up to date.
- Apply for suitable vacancies.
Apprenticeships are jobs as well as training opportunities, so vacancies are advertised throughout the year.
What if my GCSE results are better than expected?
Getting better results than you expected does not mean you have to choose the most academic route available to you.
Construction offers apprenticeships, T Levels, college and university routes, leading towards hundreds of different careers.
Start with the career that interests you. Look at the qualifications it requires and then think about which route suits you and how you want to learn. An apprenticeship, for example, allows you to start your career straight out of school, earning a wage and gaining hands-on experience while working towards a qualification.
Your results give you choices. Use them to find the route that is right for you.
What if I have changed my mind after getting my GCSE results?
You can use results day as an opportunity to reconsider what you want to do next.
If construction interests you, start with the career rather than the course.
Think about what you enjoy. Explore the different construction careers available and find out what qualifications they require. You can then look at apprenticeships, college courses or other routes that could help you get there.
Is it too late to apply for a construction course after GCSE results day?
Not necessarily.
Many colleges continue to accept applications over the summer where places are still available.
If you have not already applied, contact your local college or training provider as soon as possible.
Phone them and ask:
- What construction courses have places available?
- What are the entry requirements?
- Can I still apply?
- What do I need to do next?
Can I apply for a construction apprenticeship after results day?
Yes. Construction apprenticeships are jobs as well as training opportunities, so vacancies are advertised throughout the year.
You can look for opportunities online, on employer careers pages and through local training providers.
Before applying:
- Check the entry requirements.
- Make sure your CV is up to date.
- Follow the employer's application instructions.
Once you complete an apprenticeship, you will have an industry-recognised qualification. You might stay with your employer, progress to a higher-level apprenticeship or move to another employer to broaden your experience.
Still not sure what to do?
Speak to a careers adviser, college or training provider and ask them to talk you through your options.
Can construction lead to running your own business?
It can.
Business ownership is one of the career paths available within construction, whether that means becoming a self-employed tradesperson or eventually running a construction business.
An apprenticeship can allow you to start building practical skills and workplace experience straight out of school. Construction then offers opportunities to continue learning and progressing throughout your career.
For someone who wants to work for themselves in the future, that makes business ownership one of the possibilities worth considering when looking at where a construction career could take you.
At the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), we represent small and medium-sized building companies across the UK. Many of our members started their careers by developing practical construction skills and gaining experience in the industry before going on to run businesses of their own.
For parents and carers – understanding careers in construction
Is your child considering a career in construction?
Construction offers young people a broad range of career options and different ways to get started. If you're helping someone decide what to do after their GCSEs, understanding those options can help you to have a more informed conversation about what might suit them.
Does a career in construction mean working in a trade?
It can, but that is only part of the picture. Careers also include surveying, engineering, design, sustainability, digital construction, estimating and project management, as well as roles in areas such as finance, marketing and administration.
Is university the only route to a professional construction career?
No. There are different ways into the industry, including apprenticeships, T Levels, college and university.
Will choosing a construction route limit their options later?
Construction offers opportunities to keep learning and progressing. Someone completing an apprenticeship, for example, may be offered a permanent role, progress to a higher-level apprenticeship or move to another employer to broaden their experience.
Business ownership and self-employment are also possible career paths.
So rather than asking only, 'What can you do with these GCSE results?', try asking: 'What kind of career interests you, and which route could help you get there?'
Where can I find construction courses, apprenticeships and careers advice?
Go Construct is a good place to start. You can use it to explore hundreds of construction careers, compare different routes into the industry and look for apprenticeships, work experience, college courses and entry-level jobs.
You can also use:
Frequently asked questions about construction careers
Is construction a good career after GCSEs or A levels?
Construction offers hundreds of career opportunities, from skilled trades to engineering, surveying, digital construction, sustainability, project management and business ownership. There are different ways to enter the industry, so you can choose a route that suits the career you want and how you prefer to learn.
What construction careers can I train for after GCSEs or A levels?
Construction careers include bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, plastering, estimating, surveying, engineering, CAD, site management, project management, retrofit, sustainability and digital construction.
The industry also includes roles in areas such as marketing, administration, finance and management.
What are the routes into construction after school?
Routes into construction include apprenticeships, T Levels, college or training provider courses, university and work experience.
Can I get into construction if my exam results are worse than expected?
Potentially, yes. Contact your college or training provider and ask about your options. They may be able to recommend alternative courses or progression routes that can still help you gain the skills and qualifications needed for your chosen career.
Can I apply for a construction course after GCSE results day?
Potentially. Many colleges continue to accept applications over the summer where places remain available. Contact the college or training provider as soon as possible to ask what is available and how to apply.
Can I apply for a construction apprenticeship after GCSE or A level results day?
Yes. Construction apprenticeships are jobs as well as training opportunities, so vacancies are advertised throughout the year.
Do I need GCSEs for a construction apprenticeship?
Entry requirements vary. Some opportunities require GCSEs or equivalent, particularly in English and maths, while others may place greater emphasis on enthusiasm, practical skills and willingness to learn. Check the requirements of each vacancy before applying.
Do construction apprentices get paid?
Yes. Construction apprentices are employed and earn a wage while gaining workplace experience and completing their training.
Can construction lead to running my own business?
Yes, business ownership is one of the career options within construction. This could mean working as a self-employed tradesperson or eventually running a construction business of your own.
