Whether you have achieved above and beyond what you were hoping for, or feel disappointed in your results, you may be wondering what happens after results day. Can you do an apprenticeship with your grades? What are your options after passing? What are the next steps if you don’t get the grades you wanted?
There will always be choices available to you, especially in an industry like construction. We’re going to look at some of the options based on your situation.
Routes into construction after your GCSEs/ National 5s
Just as the construction industry offers an incredible variety of roles, there are also a number of routes into it and no set time for starting your career.
I passed and want to keep studying
Great news! There are a number of options available to you now.
A-Levels or Scottish Highers
If you enjoy school and studying, then A-Levels or Scottish Highers are the obvious next choice. If you are thinking about going to university in a couple of years’ time, then you will need to have some additional qualifications under your belt. But even if you hope to start work or some kind of vocational training when you’re 18, these qualifications are not a waste of time. There are a number of apprenticeships, including advanced and degree apprenticeships in England, and Graduate apprenticeships in Scotland - that have certain A-Level or Higher results as an entry requirement.
College courses
An alternative to A-levels is to combine academic study with something hands-on. Vocational qualifications like a BTEC, HNC and HND are an excellent mix of practical experience and theory. They usually take 1-2 years to complete at a further education college but can also be studied as part of an apprenticeship. You might not have to pay for these courses, especially if you are under the age of 24 and they are equivalent to a GCSE or A-Level.
If you want to go into a very specific role you may need to take a particular vocational qualification or degree.
Apprenticeships
If you’ve passed English and Maths at GCSE then you should be able to get onto an apprenticeship, though some employers may ask for GCSEs in more subjects.
In Scotland, you will need to have National 5 grade passes at Level C or above in Maths and English. You might also need passes in specific subjects related to the job but work experience will count in your favour if you don’t have all the right grades.
Apprenticeships offer a combination of a job with vocational training and study, leading to a nationally recognised qualification. Apprenticeships usually take 1-3 years to complete and really set you up for the world of work. You’ll be employed full-time (usually between 30-40 hours per week), which includes time spent with your training provider. You get paid a salary like a normal job and may even be offered a job at the end of your apprenticeship.
Work experience
Picking up work experience with an employer is a great way to improve your prospects, even if you have passed your GCSEs. Working during the summer holidays, at evenings or weekends will impress potential employers.
I didn’t get the results I hoped for
Don’t worry, even if you didn’t get the grades you wanted there are still plenty of options open to you.
Apprenticeships
As you may have been told in school, Maths and English are the two subjects that provide the widest range of opportunities if you pass them at GCSE. However, all is not lost if you have failed GCSE Maths and English. You can still be accepted for apprenticeships if you have other attributes such as work experience. Your employer may ask you to take what are called Level 1 Functional Skills qualifications in both Maths and English.
Entry level roles
Some jobs in construction do not require formal qualifications. You can learn on the job and build up your work experience in entry-level roles, such as labouring or groundworking. Your employer may be able to provide training so you can develop your skills and advance in your career.
Having GCSEs in English and Maths is a bonus but not essential. Use websites like Talentview to search for vacancies, or ask friends or family if they know of any construction opportunities available at local companies.
Resitting exams
You could always retake some of your GCSEs. You may be able to do this as part of your apprenticeship. Some apprenticeships, like those at Level 1, are open to people who missed out on English and Maths at GCSE. The employer is still likely to ask you to resit the exams, but the apprenticeship may be more suitable for students who prefer working with their hands or learning practical skills.
Routes into construction after your A-Levels/ Scottish Highers
Going on to university may be something you have considered, but don’t worry, you don’t have to make that decision yet.
Vocational qualifications
If you have your eye on a career in construction, you may want to look at going on to take a vocational qualification after A levels. Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) can be studied at university full-time, or you can study them as part of an apprenticeship.
Some construction roles, such as civil engineer or quantity surveyor, require a university degree. As with ‘A’ levels, keep your career choice in mind when choosing your degree subject.
Graduate / Degree apprenticeships
If university life sounds fun, but you don’t like the idea of more classroom time in lectures, then a degree apprenticeship might be ideal. You will still spend a significant amount of time doing on-site work or shadowing, but the learning portion of your time will be undertaken in a university environment. In many ways, it can be seen as the best of both worlds of apprenticeships and university.
In Scotland, you could apply for a Graduate Apprenticeship. These are similar to degree apprenticeships in England, enabling you to learn at a high level while being paid a salary. The range of graduate apprenticeships is growing all the time and the Construction and the Built Environment programme includes opportunities to train in the following professions:
- Building services engineer
- Building surveyor
- Site manager
- Stonemason
- Carpenter
- Civil engineer
Sponsorship
If you are interested in a career in construction but want to go on and get a degree, then sponsorship could be for you.
Instead of going to university off your own back, you could find an employer who will pay for your fees and books while paying you a good wage and giving you the work experience you need.
Construction companies will want to hear from you. They want to train and work with you through your degree and there are lots of sponsorship and graduate schemes to explore.
Take a look at this example from Laura, who combined a degree with a job at Seddon.
Do universities look at GCSEs?
Universities are more interested in what A-Levels you have studied and the grades you got in those. So, it doesn’t matter too much about the GCSE subjects you took. Universities will be looking for good A-level grades in relevant subjects to the course you apply for.
Explore your options
If you don’t know what you want to do next, don’t panic – you are in the same boat as lots of people your age.
An estimated 45,000 people will join the construction industry each year between now and 2027. You could be one of those people, so start your search for an opportunity now with Go Construct. Below are some ideas to get you started!
There’s a whole world of things you can do in the construction industry depending on what your qualifications are.
For example, you achieved great results in science, you could think about civil engineering (building roads, bridges and large buildings like the Shard), even environmental work. Maths might take you down the quantity surveying route. If you enjoyed business studies, then maybe a career in project management or planning could be for you.
Those different routes, and plenty of others, open up depending on your qualifications.
Personality quiz
If you don’t know what you want to do next, don’t panic – you are in the same boat as lots of people your age.
What I love about construction is that there are roles and careers to suit everyone’s skills and interests – from Bricklaying to Architecture!
The Personality Quiz can help define what is right for you. It will show you the different parts of the industry and jobs that suit you best. Once you get your quiz results, you can look at each role in more detail.
Inspiration from real-life success stories
Catherine Ashcroft, Sean MacDonald and Peter Baikie are all Go Construct STEM Ambassadors. That means they are advocates for the construction industry and can tell young people what it is like working in construction.
Catherine’s story
Catherine Ashcroft is the Education coordinator at the Eric Wright Group, a leading construction company. She has a background in teaching and sport but came into construction as a career change.
“I support young people moving into the industry and I hope I’ve inspired many students to follow their dreams. Construction is an exciting industry to work in and there’s a niche for everyone whatever your strengths. Talk to people in construction. Find out why they love the jobs they do. Most of all, if you see an opportunity, take it.”
Sean’s story
Sean MacDonald is a Site Manager at BAM Construction.
“I was about 16 when I knew I wanted to go into construction”, says Sean. “Dad was a road supervisor and some of my uncles were carpenters and ran their own businesses. An opportunity for a joinery apprenticeship came up and I took it.
“I didn't need any qualifications to start. I got my apprenticeship and went on to get an HND (Higher National Diploma) in construction management, ending up with an honours degree in construction management from Glasgow Caledonian University. During the holidays I would work as a joiner and earn enough money to study full-time for the rest of the term.”
Peter’s story
Peter Baikie is a Project Manager at Robertson Construction Northern. He left school at 16.
“I fancied the outdoor life and making something with my hands”, says Peter. “I spent three weeks doing work experience on a building site and I really enjoyed the camaraderie. Bricklaying looked good so I asked about an apprenticeship. I didn't really need any qualifications. Enthusiasm is the most important factor in getting a job.
Peter has been involved in all kinds of construction and is now inspiring others to start a career in construction.
“I looked around one day and thought, 'Where are all the young ones?’ I wanted to take a more active role in encouraging young people into the profession. A lot of teachers and lecturers don't have an appreciation of all the different roles in construction. There's no job in construction that a woman can't do as well or better than a man. But there aren't many young women being told about opportunities and roles in the trade.
Advice from industry experts
We asked some industry experts what advice they would give to people thinking about getting into the industry after their GCSEs, and which route they took.
STEM ambassadors
Here are some of Catherine, Sean and Peter’s top tips if you are looking to start a career in construction:
- “Don’t be afraid to try and don’t be afraid to fail”
- “You don’t need to be in a hurry. Try a variety of things before you decide. If you’re not sure what to do upfront, don’t panic. Try things you’re interested in. Don’t think this is now what you have to do.”
- “The good thing about construction is you can be doing almost anything. There are endless opportunities.”
- “If you’re not sure what to do after your results, just follow your interests. Any job opportunity that arises and any work experience can help you in your future career.”
Zaid Abioye, Project Manager
Zaid is a civil engineer with a wealth of industry experience.
“My dad worked in a draughtsman’s office, so I was fascinated as a child with all the big plans and blueprints. I studied English, maths, physics, biology, chemistry and technical drawing for my GCSEs. I then took A-levels in physics, maths and chemistry. Maths and physics are probably the most important subjects if you want to be an engineer. And chemistry can be useful too. If you’re interested in general construction, any subject is relevant.
“Having the ability to communicate well is also really important. You’ll also need to be interested in practical stuff, like being good with your hands. If you want to be an engineer, going to a technical college after your GCSEs is the best approach. From there you can head to university to complete your studies.
“You could also think about doing an apprenticeship with a company and work your way up from there.
Rosanna Giarraputo, Community Engagement Coordinator
Rosanna says that ‘no two days in construction are the same’. She studied GCSEs in maths, English, biology, music, history, religious studies and languages (Spanish and French), then went on to do A-levels in English, Spanish and music.
“I didn’t think about a career in construction until later, but many of my GCSE subjects were relevant, particularly English. English helped develop my communication skills - something that’s key to my role as a community engagement coordinator.
“If you’ve just finished your GCSEs and are thinking about a career in construction, just go for it. It’s a growing industry and there’s money to be made. Construction companies are always looking for enthusiastic people. I did a lot of on-the-job training for my role. Being out with the site team and getting involved with the voluntary work experience placements we offer really helped me learn about construction.
Jennifer Kinsella, Co-op facilities manager
Jennifer has been with SPV Group since 2004 and worked in a number of roles, including Contracts Manager and Co-op Facilities Manager.
“I left school when I was 16 and worked as a dental nurse and I quickly realised it wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. My father, uncle and cousins all worked in construction. I would always hear them talking about the places they’d been working, in lots of different jobs all over the country.
“When I was 17, a receptionist job was going at Howard Evans Roofing (part of SPV Group) so I applied. I had five GCSEs, but there were no official qualifications I needed to get started.
“I went on to do mental health nursing and this helps me safeguard the mental health of the engineers I work closely with. I’m always faced with new challenges and I learnt a lot by being thrown in the deep end.
“A lot of people who finish school don’t want to go back to an academic environment. My advice is to show confidence. Don’t worry too much about your results. If you want to qualify as a quantity surveyor, you can do it later.
“Be practical and don’t worry about getting things wrong. It’s a very hands-on industry.”
Find out more about careers in construction
Whether you want to work on site, in an office, with technology or giving back to the community, there is a role in construction for you. We have over 170 job profiles listed on Go Construct, with information on qualifications, training routes, salary expectations and skill requirements for each role. Find out more today!