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My career goal: Construction

Updated Friday, 21 January 2022
Are you driven to find out how things work, and want to know how they're made? Construction could be for you. Here's some advice on using your practical mind and hands-on skills to build bigger and better things.

Civil engineering case study

This short video shows Daniel, who is following the graduate route to become a civil engineer.

                                                                                        Transcript

Need some advice and inspiration?

  • Introducing engineering

    Introducing engineering

    Engineering encompasses a broad range of disciplines from design to manufacturing. This free course, Introducing engineering, introduces a number of key themes that explore how engineering is undertaken in our modern world. These themes include engineering design, rules that govern engineers, manufacturing for products and electricity ...

    Learn more to access more details of Introducing engineering

    Free course

    15 hours

    Level: 1 Introductory

  • Personal development planning for engineering

    Personal development planning for engineering

    This free course, Personal development planning for engineering, has been written in keeping with the requirements of UK-SPEC and the professional engineering institutions (e.g. ImechE, IET etc). It will provide you with a range of relevant information and guidance in critically assessing and scrutinising your career development aspirations.

    Learn more to access more details of Personal development planning for engineering

    Free course

    12 hours

    Level: 1 Introductory

  • Energy in buildings

    Energy in buildings

    Themes covered in this free course, Energy in buildings, include reducing heating demand in buildings, heating systems and fuel emissions, and reducing electricity use by appliances. The course looks at the importance of energy in buildings in the UK, investigate heat loss and how to prevent it, ways of increasing building efficiency, ...

    Learn more to access more details of Energy in buildings

    Free course

    10 hours

    Level: 3 Advanced

Other materials

  • Construction career explorer

    Construction career explorer

    This interactive search engine lets you choose your work preferences, then shows you some of the most suitable job descriptions.

    Learn more to access more details of Construction career explorer

    External link

  • Tunnel construction

    Tunnel construction

    Watch this video for an overview of training for constructing tunnels in the nuclear and rail industries.

    Learn more to access more details of Tunnel construction

    External link

  • Building the Thames Tunnel

    Building the Thames Tunnel

    Watch this animation of the process of constructing the Thames Tunnel.

    Learn more to access more details of Building the Thames Tunnel

    External link

How to apply for a CSCS card

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) provides proof that individuals have the necessary training and qualifications to carry out their work. For more information on how to apply, go to:

www.citb.co.uk/cards-testing/other-card-schemes/construction-skills-certificate-scheme-cscs/

                                                                                   Transcript

Construction skills tests

Skills tests are an industry assessment of occupational competence taken by apprentices who wish to practice in their craft. They demonstrate that apprentices meet the standards expected by the industry. See below for the skills examined in several such tests, and watch the videos for more detail.

Carpentry skills test:

  • hang a door to a rebated frame
  • fix skirting
  • cut and fix canopy members
  • the assessment process
     


                                  Transcript

Wall & floor tiling skills test:

  • tiling to a wall
  • tiling to treads and risers
  • tiling to a floor
  • wood float finish render coat
  • the assessment process

Transcript

Plastering skills test:

  • board and skim ceiling and duct
  • lightweight plaster in two coat work to wall area
  • external render finishes to wall area and attached pier
  • dry lining
  • the assessment process
     

                                  Transcript

Painting & decorating skills test:

  • painting walls, ceilings & covings
  • painting interior trim
  • cross-lining a wall
  • papering a wall
  • the assessment process
     


                                  Transcript


National Careers Service links

icould links

icould is a site that provides career guidance based on real world experiences, providing an inside view of many different jobs, and tips on how to get there. They have over 1000 personal video stories, and every page contains detailed job information and insightful practical advice.

  • Carpenter

    Carpenter

    A carpenter discusses their role

    Learn more to access more details of Carpenter

    External link

                                                                               Transcript

                                                                         Transcript

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