Do I need A-levels to get into construction?

No, most construction jobs don’t require A-Levels. If they do, there are usually jobs like surveying or civil engineering that also ask for applicants to have a degree. A-Levels in subjects like Maths and Physics are generally seen as being more useful for these kind of construction jobs. However, not everyone follows the same route into construction with the same A-Levels.

Find out more about what value A-Levels have and how they have helped different people on their construction career path.

What A-levels should I take?

Construction careers that require A-levels or equivalent

Let’s look at why A-Levels are useful.

A-Levels open doors to certain career paths that aren’t possible with other qualifications or work experience, or are made significantly harder to achieve. Mainly, they enable you to apply to university and study for a degree. A degree will help you apply for higher-level jobs after graduation, leading to a likelier chance of higher wages throughout your career.

If you are interested in any of the below careers, it would really help to have A-Levels:

• Quantity surveying
• Architecture
• Civil engineering
• Landscape architecture
• Archaeology 
• Town or urban planning
• Ecology or environmental consultation
• Heritage conservation

Advantages of A-Levels

The main advantage of gaining A-Levels is that it shows that you have good academic capability, an ability to think clearly, understand complex subjects, solve problems and communicate effectively with the written word.

As we have already mentioned, A-Levels enable people to progress to university, if that is what they choose to do. But A-Levels will also improve your chances of being accepted for vocational courses, like advanced apprenticeships, HNDs or foundation degrees.

Relevant subjects

Deciding which A-level subjects to take will largely depend on the job you’d like after graduation from university. For example, if you would like to work in ecology or environmental services, subjects such as geography and biology would be particularly useful. Alternatively, if you’re interested in engineering, A-Level subjects such as maths, physics and computing are worth considering. The preferred A-Levels for studying architecture can be a combination of STEM, art and  humanities subjects, with maths and/or a science subject usually required. 

The most important thing is to conduct your own research. If you’re currently doing your GCSEs and are considering which A levels to take, sites such as UCAS or Prospects have plenty of resources to help you out.

Skills over subjects

There’s no such thing as a ‘bad’ A level! They are all useful. Subjects such as maths, physics and computing are viewed particularly well within construction. If you’re still unsure which A levels to take, there are some subjects, known as ‘facilitating subjects’, which are seen by most universities and employers as developing a range of general skills:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computing
• English
• Geography
• History
• Maths
• Modern and classical languages
• Physics

Any combination of the above would be viewed favourably by an employer or university.

Real-life success stories of women in construction

Claire’s story

Claire Wallbridge is a Training Officer at Natural Stone Industry Training Group. She has A-Levels in Russian and British Political History and English Literature.

“I was born into a stonemasonry family and my husband was a builder with his own construction company, so I’ve always been in and around construction,” says Claire. “After graduating as a qualified teacher, I did lots of continuing professional development (CPD) – all to do with training. I’ve studied everything from understanding conservation and heritage, through to standard health and safety training.

“An opportunity arose for me to join the construction sector as a training manager (sometimes known as a learning and development manager). It’s a sector I grew up in so I knew it offered great opportunities to progress. My job as a training manager is to identify what skills and knowledge my contractors need and develop training for them.

“If you don’t get the A-levels or GCSEs you wanted it’s not the end of the world. There are many routes you can take - apprenticeships can be an incredible route. You can come into construction at any time.”

Sarra’s story

Sarra Hawes is the Director of Hawes Construction Group.

She left school with O-levels (equivalent to GCSEs) in English and technical drawing. Sarra then studied chemistry and maths in college and that was enough to get accepted to study an ordinary national diploma (OND) – equivalent to an A-level qualification – in technical graphics.

“Technical drawing and graphics gave me the skills I needed to get my first job in construction”, says Sarra. “After my OND I applied for a job as a management trainee at a local building company. While working, I studied part-time for 2 years and got a HNC in building studies. Although I had the job it was probably dependent on me gaining the building studies qualification. All in all, I spent 6 years studying.”

“No two days are the same”, says Sarra about working in construction. “You might work with completely different people one day, or in a completely new location. It’s challenging and there are always problems that you have to find solutions to. It’s great to work outdoors and you’re never stuck in one place.”

Other routes into construction

Careers in construction are not dependent on getting A-Levels. You can get entry level jobs without any formal qualifications, take an apprenticeship or a college course, or do some work experience, perhaps while you study for your GCSEs. Some people work in completely different industries, and come to construction later in life, like Claire did.

There are all kinds of ways to start a construction career. So if you didn’t get the A-Levels you were hoping for, there’s always another path you can take into construction.