What Qualifications You Need To Work Within The Construction Industry

What qualifications you need to work within the construction industry

Many people assume that as long as they are physically fit and reasonably strong, they will be able to find a job in construction. However, most construction roles require some form of qualification. Before you start looking for work in the construction industry, you should know about the most important qualifications.

CSCS Card Certification

The CSCS is required for virtually every construction job in the UK. It indicates that the holder is competent in relevant workplace health and safety. To earn your CSCS card, you will need to pass the CITB Health, Safety, and Environment test relevant to the role you want to take on. You can book both the CSCS and the CITB tests online through their respective websites.

While not required, many in the industry recommend that you pursue an NVQ in construction before applying for the CSCS card. NVQs are widely recognised throughout the industry and instantly indicate your current skill level to prospective employers.

A CSCS card lasts for 2-5 years, after which you will need to retake the test to be issued a new card. The CSCS card costs £30, and CITB tests cost £19.50.

CPCS

The CPCS indicates that the holder can safely operate machinery and understands the health and safety implications of the machinery they operate. Any construction job that requires you to operate excavators, diggers, and other heavy machinery will require you to have your CPCS qualification.

There are two types of CPCS card; red and blue. The red card indicates that you are a trained operator, while the blue card indicates you are a competent operator. The red card is non-renewable and lasts for two years, while the blue card is renewable and lasts for five years.

Can I get a job in construction without any experience?

Everyone has to start somewhere, regardless of the industry they want to work in. But the number of construction jobs available to applicants who have no previous experience will be limited. As you would expect, the highest paying jobs are reserved for workers who have a reasonable amount of experience under their belt. However, there are entry-level positions available to those with no experience.

Apprenticeships are an excellent way of gaining some experience while earning a qualification. However, you will still need to demonstrate certain skills and qualifications to apply for these. As long as you have A-C GCSEs in maths and science, you can access most construction courses for construction trainees.

The more experience you have, the easier it is to find construction jobs. Landing your very first job in construction can be challenging, but there are opportunities out there if you are prepared to spend some time looking for them.