Improve your Prospects

Improve your chances of interesting a potential employer by undertaking volunteer work, taking a specialist heritage short course or undertaking an intermediate or advanced construction diploma at a further education college. A qualification or certificate gained through a course will be invaluable during your search for employment as it will demonstrate a willingness and commitment on your part to develop you career within the industry.

Once you are in suitable employment, construction diplomas can be converted into S/NVQs by recording relevant work-based evidence on the jobs you are doing. ConstructionSkills can also provide you with further advice on routes into construction, including their Programme-Led Apprenticeship which can help you convert a college course into a full S/NVQ.

In the meantime you can improve your understanding of traditional building craft skills and building conservation generally by reading recommended books or searching the web for information on your chosen craft trade. Employers will be impressed at an interview if you can demonstrate an initial awareness of the skills and knowledge required for working on conservation and restoration projects.

Keep the contact details of companies you would most like to work for and have already approached for an apprenticeship. Companies may well have a two year cycle of taking on apprentices and you may have been unfortunate in missing their recruitment year.

When recruitment time comes around again in spring (for a September start) reapply explaining the measures you have taken in the previous year to improve your skills and knowledge. Employers will usually be impressed by your commitment and interest in their company.