There is an increasing demand for new infrastructure in the UK. This means that more and more young people are being encouraged to pursue a career in the construction industry.

If you have decided to take the first steps into construction, there are many different options available – for example, you could pursue a graduate scheme or apprenticeship, or work your way up in a company. The last option is the more traditional route into the sector, but in recent years, earing while you learn has become increasingly popular. Even though construction is a growing sector, employers are still struggling to recruit enough young people to fill the demand. Almost 90 percent of employers expressed that they were concerned about recruiting skilled workers. So, which route should you take?

The graduate scheme route

It’s a little-known fact that universities offer degrees in construction as well as the traditional academic subjects. There are currently over 76 university offering 231 different degrees relating to construction — so the options are endless! A hopeful student can choose to specialise in pretty much an area of the construction world from building, to architecture and design. The question is, what do students do when they leave? In reality, 44 per cent told a recent survey that they left university feeling unsure about their next move.

You can kick start your career with a graduate scheme as they offer excellent support and focused learning. These schemes are essentially training programmes that allow a young uni-leaver to earn and learn at the same time. Many civil engineering consultancy businesses offer excellent graduate schemes that start many people off on a successful career path.

Depending on the role that you are studying for, graduate schemes in construction last around one to two years. One of the real appeals of graduate schemes is the amount of instant responsibility given to said graduate. If you come out of university eager to learn, you will get a lot out of one of these schemes.

The apprenticeship route

The apprenticeship route is another popular option. One of the main concerns in this sector is the lack of skilled workers. Apprenticeships are a great way to tackle this. The top sectors that take on apprentices include Engineering and Manufacturing, Construction, and Planning and Built Environment. Apprenticeships could be the key to survival for these industries. Over the last few years, the number of apprenticeship positions available in the UK construction industry have grown exponentially.

This table reflects the trend:

The first thing that any apprentice should do is to research the position that they want to pursue. There are over 100 different types of apprenticeships offered in the construction field, and any of them could inform lifelong career prospects.

Once you have chosen which field you want to work in, you will undergo a year’s training which will help you learn the specifics of the role. This practical, hands-on approach allows young people to learn on the job and gain valuable insight about what a career in the construction industry might actually look like.

There’s no need to worry if you’re older than school-leaver age – this route accepts people from all age ranges! Anyone over the age of 16 is eligible to apply to apprenticeship schemes. Another option for older people wanting to engage in a scheme is adult skill funding. Anyone over the age of 24 is eligible for this funding if they have chosen to carry out a an advanced-level apprenticeship.

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘earn while you learn’ applied to apprenticeships. Apprentices are all entitled to the National Minimum Wage— this rate applies to any apprentice in their first year of training, whether they are under or over the age of 19. After the first year, the construction business is obligated to pay apprentices in accordance with the minimum national wage for their age group.

One junior engineer who began his roll through an apprenticeship scheme told us:

“I thoroughly enjoyed my apprenticeship and learnt mechanical, pneumatic and hand fitting skills alongside theory work. At the end of it, I was placed straight into a job role and had the opportunity to progress within the company.”

Business owners should ensure that their company offers multiple routes into the sector. This way, they will have access to the best potential skilled workers available.