Information for apprentices

Our programmes focus on minimising the time you need to be away from your place of work, and also don’t work to academic year calendars. We aim for Site Supervisors and Bricklayers to have completed their programmes in 18 months, dependant on circumstances and adherence to the plan of training.

If you are completing the Site Supervisor apprenticeship, the only time you may need to travel is to complete Functional Skills exams. In time, we hope to be able to provide these in your workplace. For Bricklaying apprentices, all of our face-to-face learning is delivered at our Training Hub and you will need to travel and complete block release weeks there.

No. We will provide everything you need during your training day, your employer is  responsible for any cost and organisation of travel.

Level 2 Bricklaying

For learners on our bricklaying programme, you will need a minimum of GCSE grade D/3 and above or equivalent qualification and provide evidence. If you do not have the required GCSE level, you will be supported to complete maths and English training and take your level 1 Functional Skills exam as part of the programme. You will also need to attempt to complete Functional Skills exams at level 2 if you have not already achieved at GCSE C/4 or above.

Level 4 Site Supervision

To fully complete the level 4 apprenticeship all learners must have GCSE maths and English at grade C/4 or above or another equivalent qualification and provide evidence. If you do not have this already you will be supported to complete level 2 Functional Skills training and pass your exam in the relevant subject as part of this course.

Our application form asks whether you consent to us accessing your  public learner record. Providing you are happy for us to do so, if your records are up to date we can download a report of the qualifications you have completed.

If you completed your exams earlier than 2012 you can approach your former school or college and confirm who your Awarding Body was, and how to contact them. You can then apply for copies of your certificates for a fee (and keep them safe!)

Alternatively, you can also apply for a copy of your own Personal Learner Record via the Government here.

Absolutely! From land sourcing, town planning and environmental work; surveying in all its forms, new home design; the practical hands-on trades such as bricklaying or plumbing; through to construction site supervision and management; there are so many ways to build a career in this exciting industry.

House-building apprenticeships are available to anyone aged 16 and over so whether you’ve just taken your GCSEs, are still studying or you’ve already been working for a while, an apprenticeship could be the perfect next step for you.

You might have family or friends in the industry or you may just find the idea of being involved in the creation of new homes exciting. Either way, it’s always best to try and get an idea of what working in your chosen sector is really like. If you don’t already know someone working in house building, see if you can secure some work experience or visit a new homes development and ask if you can book in a few minutes to speak to the site manager there.

Your employer may already have links with a training provider who will work with you and your employer to provide the learning and assessment elements of your apprenticeship programme. At NHBC we offer two apprenticeship schemes – Construction Site Supervision and Bricklaying. These have been created specifically for the house-building industry in conjunction with national house builders and delivered by trainers who have years of experience. Make sure that your apprenticeship training provider offers something similar.

When choosing where to study and work, think about the practicalities. Can I get there ok? What hours will I be working and studying? What is the salary? Although the minimum wage for young apprentices is lower than national minimum wage, you need to consider that you are learning on the job, whilst earning and without incurring university tuition fees. Think about your future earning potential once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, is that attractive?

Apprenticeships work both ways. You need to demonstrate that you have the qualities your apprenticeship provider is looking for, that you are prepared to work hard to complete your apprenticeship and are ready to take the next step in your career. Similarly, does your apprenticeship provider and employer have core values that appeal to you, does the environment they provide match your ambition and drive? Check what the entry requirements for your chosen apprenticeship are? Are they achievable?

It really depends on what sort of apprenticeship you’re after and which type of role in the industry you’re aiming for. The larger house builders will generally offer a wider range of apprenticeships including trades, commercial, technical and even higher or degree apprenticeships in things like quantity surveying and site management. Smaller, more local house builders will mostly focus on helping you learn and develop a practical trade through an apprenticeship in bricklaying, carpentry/joinery, plumbing or electrics. Research potential employers. Do they have a reputation for producing good quality homes? Do they sound like a company you would like to work for?