Information for apprentices
A trade apprenticeship opens the door to a long and rewarding career in house building.
What is a construction apprenticeship?
A construction apprenticeship is a paid job that combines practical, hands-on experience with structured training. You’ll work for a house builder or subcontractor while learning your trade through our high-quality training programme, gaining valuable skills and recognised qualifications while earning a wage.
Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, there are several routes you can take. Many apprentices secure full-time roles, often with the same employer, earning a competitive wage in their chosen field. Alternatively, you might choose to continue your education with the apprenticeship scheme and progress to the next level of apprenticeship.
Benefits of apprenticeships
Earn while you learn
Get a salary and enjoy paid holidays as you gain hands-on experience and build your skills.
No tuition fees
There’s no student loan or tuition costs as your training is fully funded or paid for by your employer, so you can focus on learning without debt.
Recognised qualifications
Achieve a nationally recognised qualification in your chosen area, setting you up for a successful career in construction.
Real-world experience
Work alongside experienced professionals from day one, gaining practical knowledge that prepares you for life on a real construction site.
Why choose our apprenticeship programmes
View all apprenticeships
Site Carpentry apprenticeship - Level 2
Develop skilled site carpenters with practical, on site training. Ideal for entry-level apprentices ready to support first- and second-fix tasks from day one.
Groundworker apprenticeship - Level 2
Develop groundworkers from the ground up with hands-on training. Ideal for entry-level apprentices ready to contribute on site from day one.
Bricklaying apprenticeship - Level 2
Train new talent in essential bricklaying skills with a practical, site-focused programme. Ideal for entry-level apprentices ready to contribute on site from day one.
Bricklaying apprenticeship - Level 3
Upskill your workforce with advanced bricklaying techniques and NHBC Standards-driven training, perfect for those ready to take the next step in their career.
Construction Site Supervisor apprenticeship - Level 4
Develop your future site leaders with structured training in site supervision. Ideal for upskilling reliable team members into management roles.
Applying for an NHBC apprenticeship programme
Our construction apprenticeships are available whether you’ve just taken your GCSEs or are already in the world of work. You can also start an apprenticeship if you want a change of career or you think that upskilling in your current job would benefit you.
To start an apprenticeship, you need to be employed by a house builder or subcontractor willing to support you through your apprenticeship.
You’ll need to be:
- 16 or over
- working in England
- not in full-time education
- clear about the type of career you wish to pursue
- prefer a more practical and work-related approach to learning
- well-organised and able to cope with the demands of work and academic study.
How to apply
Ready to apply?
If you’re already employed by a house builder or subcontractor and are ready to start your apprenticeship, complete our application form and send it to our team at qualifications@nhbc.co.uk.
Need help finding an employer?
If you're not currently employed, you can explore apprenticeship opportunities online at Go Construct or the New Entrant Support Team at CITB can help you find employers looking for apprentices.
Apprenticeship case studies
Frequently asked questions
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There are no fees for you to pay for an NHBC apprenticeship. Your training is fully funded by your employer, with support from grants and incentives.
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Your employer will pay you in the same way they would any other member of the team. By law, all apprentices have to be paid the National Minimum Apprentice Wage or National Minimum Wage, however some employers pay more than this and you can negotiate pay before you start.
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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 apprentices to have completed their programmes in 18 months, depending on circumstances and adherence to the plan of training.
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If you are completing the Site Supervisor apprenticeship, the only time you may need to travel is to complete Functional Skills exams. For trade apprentices, all of our face-to-face learning is delivered at our training hubs and you will need to travel and complete block release weeks there.
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No. We will provide everything you need during your training day. Your employer is responsible for any costs and organisation of travel.
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Apprentices aged 16 to 18 at the start of their training must achieve English and maths qualifications to complete their apprenticeship if they do not already hold suitable equivalent qualifications. Apprentices who do not already hold a suitable equivalent qualification in either English or maths or both subjects are funded to achieve up to an approved level 2 qualification in these subjects.
Level 2 (Intermediate apprenticeships)
There are no entry requirements for our level 2 programmes providing learners can complete a diagnostic maths and English assessment that shows they are working at the appropriate level.
Learners will need a minimum of GCSE grade E/1 and above or an equivalent to fully complete their apprenticeship. If they already have this but not a grade C/4 or above, they may be required to study towards a Level 2 in one or both subjects.
Level 3 and Level 4 (advanced and higher apprenticeships)
There are no entry requirements for our level 3 and 4 courses providing learners can complete a diagnostic maths and English assessment that shows they are working at the appropriate level.
To fully complete the level 3 and 4 apprenticeships all learners must have GCSE maths and English at grade C/4 or above or another equivalent qualification and provide evidence. If they 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.Apprentices over 19
Apprentices aged 19 and over at the start of their training on any level programme can also be funded to study up to an approved level 2 qualification in English and or maths, if they do not already hold suitable equivalent qualifications. Their employer must agree that this should be part of their training plan and can exempt learners over 19 from having to complete these qualifications with a formal statement.
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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 website here.
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- Intermediate level 2 - the equivalent of 5 GCSE passes at grade 9-4 (A*-C).
- Advanced level 3 - the equivalent of 2 A-level passes, a Level 3 Diploma or International Baccalaureate.
- Higher levels 4, 5, 6 and 7 - the equivalent of a Higher National Certificate and above
- Degree level 6 and 7 - the equivalent of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
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Whilst at our purpose built training hubs apprentices are supervised at all times and are required to adhere to the same health and safety standards and use of protective equipment that is expected on a well-managed building site. They are fully trained on appropriate use of any equipment, with risk assessment and method statements in place.
Our training hub is covered by CCTV, closed to general public admission with any guests also fully supervised. Our staff are fully trained in both safeguarding and Prevent Duty, required for all educational establishments and apprentices encouraged to be open and honest about any concerns they might have. Our learners’ safety and welfare is our prime concern, just like on the building sites they will work on in the future – there’s nothing more important than going home safe and well at the end of the working day.