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Construction apprenticeships

Bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, site management, quantity surveying, civil engineering and more, from Level 2 to degree. Get paid, learn on real sites, and finish with a qualification employers actually need.

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What is a construction apprenticeship?

A construction apprenticeship pays you to learn a trade or a professional site role, from bricklaying, carpentry and electrical work to site management, quantity surveying and civil engineering. UK programmes run Level 2 to degree level, usually two to four years, and most start with no prior experience required.

Last reviewed by the Shine careers team.

Construction routes on Shine

Trades

Bricklaying, carpentry & joinery, plastering, painting & decorating, roofing.

Building services

Plumbing, electrical, heating and ventilation, refrigeration, the M&E trades.

Site management

Construction supervisor and site manager apprenticeships up to Level 6 (degree).

Surveying & QS

Quantity surveying and building surveying apprenticeships, chartered with RICS.

Civil engineering

Roads, rail, bridges, water, civil engineering technician to degree apprenticeship.

Groundworks & plant

Groundworker, plant operator and demolition apprenticeships across UK projects.

Construction apprenticeship FAQs

Plain-English answers to the questions UK applicants and parents ask most about construction apprenticeships.

What construction apprenticeships are available?
UK construction apprenticeships split into three groups: trade apprenticeships (bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, plastering, painting & decorating, roofing, plant operator); site & professional routes (site supervisor, site manager, quantity surveyor, civil engineering technician); and design & planning (architectural technician, building services engineering). Levels run from 2 (Intermediate) to 6 (Degree).
How much do construction apprentices earn?
Construction apprentices typically start at £6.40–£10/hour at Level 2, rising to £20,000–£28,000 a year at Level 3, and £25,000–£35,000+ on degree apprenticeships in site management or quantity surveying. Many large contractors (Balfour Beatty, Kier, Morgan Sindall, Mace, Skanska) pay above the apprentice minimum from day one.
Which construction apprenticeship should I do?
It depends on what you enjoy: trades (bricklaying, carpentry, electrical, plumbing) if you want hands-on craft and the option to be self-employed; site roles (site supervisor, site management) if you prefer organising and leading; professional routes (quantity surveying, civil engineering) if you like planning, numbers and design. Shine's quiz matches your strengths to specific live roles.
How do I get a construction apprenticeship with no experience?
Most Level 2 construction apprenticeships are designed for people with no experience. Employers look for reliability, safety awareness, fitness for site work, and genuine interest in the trade. A CSCS Green Card helps for site access; you can usually get it before or in your first few weeks.
What GCSEs do I need for a construction apprenticeship?
Trade apprenticeships (Level 2) are often flexible, many accept candidates without formal GCSEs if you can show motivation. Level 3 and Higher apprenticeships usually ask for GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including maths and English. Degree apprenticeships in quantity surveying, civil engineering or building services typically need A levels or a Level 3 BTEC/T Level.
Are construction apprenticeships a good career?
Yes, UK construction has a major skills shortage, especially in trades, site management and civil engineering. Qualified tradespeople and site managers are in consistent demand, pay is strong, and many trade apprentices go on to run their own businesses. Degree apprenticeships in surveying and civils lead to chartered status with bodies like RICS or ICE.
Is a construction T Level an alternative to an apprenticeship?
It is a different route to the same industry. The two construction T Levels — Building Services Engineering, and Design, Surveying and Planning — are two-year college courses with at least 315 hours on site with an employer. You are not paid, unlike an apprenticeship, but you finish with a Level 3 qualification worth up to 168 UCAS points and site experience that makes a higher apprenticeship application much stronger.

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Related guides

Part of Shine's apprenticeship guide series, plain-English answers, updated regularly.