A Future in Construction
It’s all about working together
Choose a career in construction and you won’t be starting out on your own. You’ll be joining a team of specialist people all working together to build a strong, long-lasting future.
Whatever your role is in the industry, if it’s as a bricklayer or plasterer, civil engineer, architect or construction manager, every team member is as important as the next. So whether your talent is working with your head or hands, you can be sure there’s a career in construction for you.
This page has been produced to give you an insight into the huge range of careers the construction industry has to offer. It gives you an idea of what each job is like and what skills you’ll need to succeed.
Craft Roles
Your future in one of UK’s largest industries
What you get out of a career depends on you. You may enjoy the hands-on satisfaction of actually making things, or you may be more interested in a management or professional role, such as surveying or planning.
Click here for more Case Study
Martin McAlorum – Joiner & Business Owner
Apprentices are essential and vital for the future of the Northern Ireland construction industry and can be an invaluable asset to any company.
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Technical Roles
There are a range of technical careers available within the construction industry in NI.
A career in technical support can be exciting and varied, it covers a broad range of disciplines and is an important part of the construction team. Everyone working in technical support has the same key skills in common.
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Case Study
Neil Burns Gilbert-Ash
Neil Burns is employed by Gilbert Ash (GA).Having grew up on a farm Neil developed an interest and love of working outdoors. As a result, learning practical skills and working within the construction industry seemed a natural progression for a career path. After applying for an apprenticeship scheme through CEF Neil was successful on gaining a place with Gilbert-Ash NI Ltd.
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Professional Roles
Construction offers a number of opportunities in this area. A lot of this type of work takes place before a project even gets to the physical building stage. Creative people, financial experts and legal professionals all play a part in gettinga project off the ground. Once the construction work begins,construction managers, engineers and surveyors organise all the people working on the site to ensure that what is built matches the original designs.
Click here for more info Case Study
Paula Mc Closkey
Employer Specialist Joinery Group
Position Business Development Manager
Role Role involves seeking new work, marketing, measurement, contract administration, Project Management, People Management etc.
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Routes
Apprenticeship Routes
Currently in Northern Ireland, there are two apprenticeship routes available for trainees;
1. Programme-Led Apprenticeship
2. Apprenticeship NI
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Route Map
For more information on Apprenticeships NI and Programme-Led Apprenticeships
click here
NIDirect
NIDirect brings together lots of information from government departments and agencies,written in language that is
easy to understand. And, you don't need to know the workings of government to find what you are after.
Promoting Construction as a Career
Now more than ever there is a need to encourage young people to consider a career in construction. With the reduced economic climate and the negative publicity surrounding the industry we aim to prevent future skills gaps by continuing to attract new recruits into the industry in preparation for the upturn. For the latest information on careers in construction have a thorough look through this website.
Click here for more info Construction Ambassadors
CITB-ConstructionSkills Northern Ireland has developed a Construction Ambassador programme to help promote career opportunities within the industry and interact with young people within schools.
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BT Moving On
Moving On helps young adults aged 14-19 and beyond to learn more about themselves, the skills they need in life and work, and how best to develop and demonstrate these as they identify and apply for jobs that are a good fit for their personality, interests and skills.
www.bt.com/movingon
A History of Vocational Excellence
The initial concept for the global event that is now World Skills can be linked back to Spain in the late 1940’s
where it was identified that there was a great need for skilled workers. Mr José Antonio Elola Olaso, who was General Director of OJE (Spanish Youth Organisation), had an insight that it was necessary to convince youngsters, as well as their parents, teachers and prospective employers, that their future depended on an effective vocational training system.
Host Countries
The last four WorldSkills Competitions where held in:
2007, Shizuoka, Japan
2009, Calgary, Canada
2011, London, United Kingdom
2013, Leipzig, Germany
To see the full list of host nations,
click here
World Skills London 2011
Gold medal winner, Phillip Green
For more photos, please
click here
Careers DVD
Click the image to see people at work in the Northern Ireland construction industry carrying out their day to day job which is available from our Careers in the Built Environment DVD.
Careers Booklet
This careers guide provides a brief description of some of the craft, technical and professional opportunities within the construction industry. All these jobs form part of the team that makes the construction industry work together.