Building Trades

Want to turn your talents to a practical career on leaving? Together, the building trades make up one of Britain’s widest-ranging industry sectors, offering many different roles to choose from – and perhaps the firm foundation you’ve been seeking for your next career …

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What's Involved in Building Trades Careers?

The UK building trades industry offers a major opportunity for Service leavers due to a critical skilled labour shortage clashing with high demand for new housing and infrastructure. This landscape creates strong job security and competitive wages, especially for those with skills in traditional trades like bricklaying, carpentry, and electrical work. Furthermore, the national drive towards Net Zero is creating a surge in demand for "green skills," such as installing heat pumps, solar panels, and EV chargers, offering a chance to build a secure and future-proof career. Your military background in discipline, teamwork, and completing a task to a high standard provides the ideal foundation to succeed in this essential and evolving sector.

Building trades careers in brief

Some of the major skills in which people who work in the building trades are trained include:

• electrical installation and maintenance
• plumbing
• bricklaying
• plastering
• carpentry and joinery (woodworking)
• gas installation and maintenance
• air conditioning and refrigeration.

We will look at each of these in turn.

Electrical installation and maintenance

Electricians install, maintain, and repair the electrical systems that power our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. It is a highly skilled and regulated trade that demands precision, a deep understanding of safety protocols, and excellent problem-solving abilities. For those with a technical mindset, it offers a challenging and rewarding career.

The Essential Qualifications

The path to becoming a qualified electrician is strictly defined by industry standards. There are no shortcuts; you must achieve a specific set of qualifications to be recognised as competent.

• The Core Qualification: The industry gold standard is the Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment. This is the key qualification you must achieve to be considered a fully qualified electrician.
• The Regulations: You must hold a current qualification in the IET Wiring Regulations. As of 2025, this is the 18th Edition, including all recent amendments. This proves your understanding of the national standard for all electrical work.
• Inspection and Testing: While not essential for entry, an additional qualification in Inspection and Testing (often called the '2391') is highly recommended. It allows you to legally test and certify electrical work, which significantly increases your employability.
• The ECS Card: To work on almost any construction site in the UK, you will need an Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) card. Achieving the Level 3 NVQ allows you to apply for the gold card, which identifies you as a qualified installation electrician.

Your Route to Getting Qualified

For a Service leaver, there are three main routes to becoming a qualified electrician.

1. Apprenticeship: This is the most common path. You work for an electrical contractor as a paid employee while attending college part-time to gain your technical certificates and build your NVQ portfolio of on-site work.
2. Trade Training Courses: You can use your ELCAS funding to pay for a training program with a specialist provider. These intensive courses cover the classroom-based theory (your Level 2 and 3 Diplomas). However, you must still find employment with an electrical contractor to gain the essential on-site experience needed to complete your NVQ.
3. Experienced Worker Assessment (EWA): If you already have at least five years of verifiable electrical experience from your time in the military, you may be eligible for the EWA. This is a fast-track route that assesses your existing skills against the Level 3 NVQ standard.

Crucially, it is impossible to become a fully qualified electrician through a classroom course alone. All routes require you to gain and document a wide range of real-world, on-site experience to complete your NVQ portfolio.

Plumbing

Plumbers and heating engineers install, service, and repair the systems that provide our buildings with water, heating, and sanitation. The work ranges from fitting new bathrooms and responding to emergency leaks to installing complex central heating systems. It is a vital trade that requires excellent problem-solving skills, manual dexterity, and a deep understanding of safety regulations, especially when working with gas.

Essential Qualifications

The qualification path for a plumber, and particularly a heating engineer, is strictly regulated.

• The Core Qualification: The industry standard is the Level 2/3 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating. You will typically start at Level 2 to learn the fundamentals before progressing to Level 3 to become fully qualified.
• Gas Safe Registration: To work legally on any gas appliance in the UK (including boilers, cookers, and fires), you must be on the Gas Safe Register. This is a legal requirement. To get registered, you need to complete a portfolio of gas work under the supervision of a qualified engineer and then pass a set of practical exams called the Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS).
• Other Key Certifications: An Unvented Hot Water Systems certificate (G3) is also highly recommended, as it's required for working on modern pressurised hot water cylinders.

Your Route to Getting Qualified

For a Service leaver, there are three main routes to becoming a qualified plumber and heating engineer.

1. Apprenticeship: The traditional route where you are employed by a plumbing and heating firm, earning a wage while attending college part-time to gain your qualifications and build your on-site portfolio.
2. Trade Training Courses: You can use your ELCAS funding to pay for a comprehensive training program with a specialist provider. These courses cover the classroom theory and workshop skills for your Level 2 and 3 Diplomas. However, to complete the full NVQ and become Gas Safe registered, you must find a placement with a registered engineer to build your portfolio of real-world gas work.
3. Experienced Worker Route: If you have significant, verifiable plumbing or mechanical engineering experience from your military career (e.g., as a Marine Engineer), you may be able to take an experienced worker assessment to gain your qualifications more quickly.

It is impossible to become Gas Safe registered through a classroom course alone. All routes require you to gain and document a portfolio of real gas work under the supervision of a qualified, registered engineer. This is a non-negotiable part of the process.

Bricklaying

Bricklayers are the craftspeople who construct the fundamental structures of our buildings, from new homes to large commercial projects. It is a physically demanding trade that requires skill, precision, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team. Due to the ongoing UK housing demand and a major shortage of skilled workers, qualified bricklayers are currently in one of the strongest positions in the construction industry, commanding high wages and enjoying excellent job security.

The Role and a Day's Work

A bricklayer's main job is to build walls, partitions, and other structures using bricks, blocks, and mortar. Day-to-day work involves:

• Reading and interpreting architectural plans.
• Measuring and marking out building areas.
• Mixing mortar to the correct consistency.
• Laying bricks and blocks accurately to create a solid, level structure.
• Cutting and shaping materials to fit around obstacles like windows and doors.

The work is almost entirely outdoors and frequently involves working at height on scaffolding. It requires physical fitness, a keen eye for detail, and the patience to produce high-quality work.

How to Become a Bricklayer

For a Service leaver, the route to becoming a qualified bricklayer is straightforward.

• The Core Qualification: The industry-standard qualification is the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations (Bricklaying). This is the key to being recognised as a skilled worker.
• The CSCS Card: To work on any reputable construction site in the UK, you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. Once you have your Level 2 NVQ, you can apply for the blue "Skilled Worker" card, which proves your competence.

There are two main routes to achieving these qualifications:

1. Apprenticeship: This involves working for a bricklaying firm or a major housebuilder, earning a wage while attending college part-time to learn the theory and practice of the trade.
2. Trade Training Courses: You can use your ELCAS funding to pay for an intensive bricklaying course at a specialist training centre. These courses are excellent for learning the core hand skills quickly. However, to complete your full NVQ, you will still need to find employment on a site to be assessed and build your portfolio of work experience.

Career Progression

With experience, a skilled bricklayer has excellent opportunities for progression. You could move into a Site Supervisor or Construction Manager position, start your own bricklaying subcontracting business, or specialise in high-end stonemasonry or restoration work.

Plastering

Plastering is the skilled craft of applying the final smooth finish to walls and ceilings, making them ready for decoration. It's a trade that transforms the shell of a building into a home and offers high job satisfaction from seeing a tangible, finished result. Due to the high demand for new housing and renovation projects, and a general shortage of skilled tradespeople, qualified plasterers are highly sought after across the UK.

The Role and a Day's Work

A plasterer's main job is to apply coats of plaster to interior walls, ceilings, and partitions to create a smooth surface. Key tasks include:

• Preparing surfaces by cleaning them and applying a bonding agent.
• Mixing plaster to the correct consistency by hand or with a mixer.
• Applying a 'scratch coat' and a final 'skim coat' using hawks and trowels.
• Creating a perfectly smooth, flat finish ready for painting or wallpapering.

The work is mostly indoors but can be physically demanding, requiring a good level of fitness and a steady hand. It is a craft that demands patience and a meticulous eye for detail.

How to Become a Plasterer

The route to becoming a qualified plasterer is clear and accessible.

• The Core Qualification: The industry-standard qualification is the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Plastering. This demonstrates your competence in the essential skills of the trade.
• The CSCS Card: To work on any reputable construction site, you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. Obtaining your Level 2 NVQ allows you to get the blue "Skilled Worker" card, which is what employers look for.

There are two main routes to getting qualified:

1. Apprenticeship: This involves working for a plastering firm or a larger contractor, earning a wage while attending college to learn the trade and build your on-site NVQ portfolio.
2. Trade Training Courses: You can use your ELCAS funding to pay for an intensive plastering course at a specialist training centre. These courses are excellent for learning the core hand skills quickly. However, to complete your full NVQ, you will still need to find employment on a site to be assessed and build your portfolio of work experience.

Career Progression

Skilled plasterers have excellent career prospects. Many become self-employed, running their own successful businesses and taking on their own projects, where payment is often on a "job-and-finish" basis. There are also opportunities to move into site supervision or management roles within larger construction companies. Some plasterers also specialise in more decorative techniques, such as applying external renders or fibrous plasterwork.

Carpentry and joinery (woodworking)

Carpenters and joiners play a vital role in constructing buildings by fabricating and installing various wooden components, ranging from floorboards and roof trusses to intricately designed windows and doors. Their work involves the use of specialized woodworking tools and working with diverse wood types, requiring meticulous attention to detail and the ability to calculate angles and dimensions for precise fittings. Collaborative teamwork and mathematical proficiency are essential traits for success in this field.

While BATJIC sets annual wage guidance, carpenter wages have risen significantly beyond these standards due to critical labour shortages. Carpenters and joiners often transition into allied roles like form working, shopfitting, bench joinery, maintenance work, and interior systems installation. Carpenters and joiners can progress into supervisory roles or start their own businesses. The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) provides guidance on self-employment for veterans.

For individuals leaving the armed forces, the precise nature of carpentry and joinery, emphasis on teamwork, and opportunities for entrepreneurship within the field can align well with the skills and attributes developed during military service. Exploring varied specializations within woodworking may offer diverse career trajectories and advancement opportunities.

Gas installation and maintenance

A career as a Gas Engineer involves installing, servicing, and repairing gas appliances like boilers, cookers, and fires. It is one of the most highly regulated and respected trades in the UK. Due to the strict legal requirement for all gas engineers to be professionally registered, it is a secure career path with high earning potential.

The Legal Requirement: The Gas Safe Register

It is illegal for any individual to carry out work on gas appliances in the United Kingdom unless they are registered on the Gas Safe Register. This is the official list of businesses and engineers legally permitted to work on gas. This is not optional; it is a fundamental legal and safety requirement.

Essential Qualifications

To become a Gas Safe registered engineer, you must follow a specific and clearly defined qualification pathway. There are no shortcuts.

• The Core Qualification: You will first need a relevant qualification in plumbing or heating, typically a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating.
• The On-Site Gas Portfolio: You must build a portfolio of evidence of real-world gas work. This work must be completed under the direct supervision of a fully qualified, Gas Safe registered engineer. This portfolio is a mandatory prerequisite for assessment.
• The ACS Assessments: Once your portfolio is complete, you must pass the Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) assessments. This is a series of intensive practical exams and written tests that cover core domestic gas safety (CCN1) and specific appliances (e.g., CENWAT for central heating boilers).

Only after successfully completing all these steps can you apply to join the Gas Safe Register.

Your Route to Getting Qualified

For a Service leaver, this is a significant but achievable commitment.

1. Apprenticeship: This is the ideal route. You are employed by a heating firm, learn the trade on the job, attend college, and have your gas portfolio signed off by your employer, all while earning a wage.
2. Trade Training Courses: You can use your ELCAS funding to pay for a comprehensive gas training program. These courses provide the essential classroom and workshop theory. However, the training provider must also arrange a placement for you with a registered engineer to complete your mandatory on-site portfolio. Confirm how this placement is guaranteed before signing up for any course.

It is impossible to become a Gas Safe registered engineer through a classroom-only course. The on-site portfolio of supervised gas work is a non-negotiable legal and safety requirement.

Air conditioning and refrigeration

The refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry is experiencing rapid growth and demands specialized skills. RAC engineers focus on maintaining ideal environments, balancing temperature, and humidity control. The industry emphasizes environmentally friendly practices and efficient energy use through renewable technologies that utilize gases designed not to harm the ozone layer.

Diverse Career Opportunities

Career paths in this field often split into two primary areas:

• Refrigeration Engineers:
  They install, service, and maintain refrigeration systems in diverse establishments like supermarkets, hospitals, and food-processing plants.
  
  
• Air Conditioning Engineers:
  They manage systems controlling air quality, temperature, and humidity in settings such as schools and offices. Both roles may involve on-site work at construction sites based on their specialization.
  
  
• Qualifications and Training:
  To begin a career in this sector, acquiring an NVQ or SVQ at level 2 or 3 is essential, making it a potential use of the ELC funding for veterans. Further specialized training is required for full qualification. While traditional apprenticeships are common, fast-track training via Homebuilding Skills Hubs offers older adults, including veterans, an accelerated pathway into HVAC careers. However, for individuals aged twenty-five and above, pursuing an NVQ/SVQ is also possible without an apprenticeship, though on-site assessments are necessary for real-world application. Gaining the necessary qualifications often spans around four years.

For additional information on working in this sector and relevant training providers, consult the websites of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB).

You can find more information about working in this sector, and about relevant training providers, on the websites of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB).

How do I qualify to work in the building trades?

Step 1: Choose Your Trade

First, decide which specific trade you want to pursue. The main options include:

• Electrician
• Plumber & Heating Engineer
• Bricklayer
• Carpenter & Joiner
• Plasterer

Research each one to understand the day-to-day work, earning potential, and physical demands before you commit.

Step 2: Get the Essential Qualifications

To be recognised as a professional tradesperson in the UK, you need two key things:

• An NVQ Diploma: The industry standard is typically a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Diploma in your chosen trade. This proves your competence and is what most employers will ask for. For more technical trades like electrical or gas work, you will need to progress to Level 3.
• A CSCS Card: To work on almost any construction site, you must have a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. Once you have your Level 2 NVQ, you can apply for the blue "Skilled Worker" card, which is the industry passport.

Step 3: Choose Your Training Route

There are two primary routes to get qualified.

1. Apprenticeship: This is often the best route. You are employed by a company, earn a wage, and attend college one day a week. Your employer provides the essential on-site experience needed to complete your NVQ portfolio.
2. Trade Training Courses: As a Service leaver, you can use your ELCAS funding to pay for an intensive training course at a specialist centre. These are excellent for learning the core skills quickly in a workshop environment. However, to get your full NVQ, you will still need to find a job on a site where an assessor can come and evaluate your real-world work.

Step 4: Gain On-Site Experience

It is impossible to become a fully qualified tradesperson through a classroom or workshop course alone. The NVQ is an assessment of your competence on a real work site. Gaining practical, on-the-job experience is a non-negotiable part of the process, whichever training route you choose.

Use your ELC

Under the ELC scheme, a wide range of learning can be taken, provided it is offered by an approved provider listed on the ELCAS website and is at level 3 or above. For full details of how to make the most of your ELC, refer to the in-depth features elsewhere on the Quest website

BUILDING TRADES APPRENTICESHIPS
Building is arguably the industry sector we all most associate with apprenticeships – and for good reason! You will find a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities available in all the main trades. A good first port of call is the National Construction College’s apprenticeship course webpage. Alternatively, use your favourite search engine to discover more options. Or browse the government’s apprenticeship website (which has a section specifically devoted to construction and the built environment) or Find Apprenticeships, both of which allow you to search for apprenticeship opportunities by area of interest and location.

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