Ok, so you’re looking for a new career path, and suddenly the idea of having a career in the construction industry peaks your interest. Well, let me tell you, it’s a fantastic choice if you’re somebody who would like working in a hands-on role where you aren’t stuck in the same environment everyday. The construction industry is such a robust career offering you dynamic opportunities to work in different roles, places, and not to forget the huge variety of characters you’ll meet along the way!
Brilliant! you’ve come to the realisation you would like the idea of working in construction, but now what do you do? you don’t have any experience in the industry, and you haven’t got any qualifications even slightly related to this field. You might not even know what a Green CSCS Card is! Where do you need to go from here? If this is you right now; don’t worry, There are many pathways you can take to boost your knowledge and experience. In this post, we’re going to help pave your way through getting into the construction industry.
Identify Your Skills & Interests
An important factor to consider before anything is to do a bit of self reflection towards what your skills and interests are because this can determine the best fit for you within the construction industry. Are you hands-on and enjoy physical work? Or do you prefer planning and managing projects? Take a look at a few examples of roles you can explore within the construction industry:
- Tradespeople (decorators, plasterers, plumbers, electricians, joiners)
- Labourers
- Site Managers
- Engineers
- Architects
- Project Managers
Once you’ve gained a better idea towards which role you’d like to work towards, this will give you a better chance for you to work towards a certain goal.
If you’re struggling to find which role might be for you, check out this page
Get Educated & Trained
Education and Training are crucial aspects for success in the construction industry. One popular method for many people is through gaining experience with family/friends who are already working in the industry. However, Many construction companies won’t allow you on their site unless you have a recognised qualification. Therefore, your best route is to work towards obtaining your Green CSCS Card, this is because it will help you prove to construction companies that you are competent within the field, and that you can work safely in a construction environment. Therefore, obtaining your Green CSCS Card is an important step towards getting into the construction industry.
How do I get a Green CSCS Card?
You can apply for a Green CSCS Card after completing a health and safety qualification, one way you can do this is through our Skills Bootcamp in construction course. This is a fully funded construction course delivered by industry professionals. During the 3 week course you will learn essential construction skills that will be invaluable for starting off your career in the construction industry. What makes this course even better for you is that you will also get the opportunity to learn how to operate a Forward Tipping Dumper and gain your licence, further enhancing your employability within the construction environment. If you’d be interested in finding out more about CSCS Cards, then make sure to check out our previous blog post where you’ll find an in-depth guide to CSCS Cards
Gain Experience
Ok, so you’ve got your Green CSCS Card, now where do you go? The next steps for you to consider is gaining more experience within the construction industry. This can be done through either working in entry level positions eg, labourer jobs, or as an assistant, as this will allow you to further develop your knowledge on the basics and also gives you the opportunity to build your network with people who work in the construction environment. Furthermore, you can also apply for apprenticeships in a specific trade so you can earn while you learn the skill you’d like to pursue.
Consider Specialised Areas
Whilst you’re gaining experience and keeping up to date with industry changes, it’s important to consider whether you’d like to focus into a specialised area for example, Green Building (Focusing on sustainable and eco-friendly construction practices), Project management, or Safety management. This will allow you to create a pathway towards the area you’d like to get into.
Conclusion
Getting into the construction industry requires a mix of training, education, experience, and networking. This industry is filled with a plethora of opportunities and the potential for a fulfilling and lucrative career. By following these steps, you can build a strong foundation for success in the construction industry. So, roll up your sleeves and start building your future today!
If you’d like to apply for our fully funded construction course to help you get your Green CSCS Card, then fill in the form below.
