Who’s who on site

How to become an apprentice in the UK

What it is. An apprenticeship is a paid job, with holiday pay, where you also study: at least 20% of your normal working hours is set aside for training linked to your role. It lasts from 8 months to 6 years depending on the type and level.

Levels. Foundation and Intermediate: Level 2 – Intermediate (like GCSEs, General Certificate of Secondary Education). Advanced: Level 3 – Advanced (like A levels). Higher: Levels 4 to 7. Degree: Levels 6 and 7 (bachelor’s or master’s degree).

Construction examples. Bricklayer, carpentry and joinery, plasterer, groundworker, construction site supervisor and a site management degree. Look up each occupational standard in the official Skills England search.

Who can start. In England you must be 16 or over, live in England and not be in full-time education.

Minimum pay. From April 2026 the apprentice minimum wage is £8 an hour if you are under 19, or 19 or over and in your first year. After the first year, if you are 19 or over, you get the minimum wage for your age (for example £12.71 an hour at 21 and over).

Who pays for training. The employer and the government fund it; the apprentice does not pay for their training.

How to apply. 1) Search on the official Find an apprenticeship service. 2) Sign in or create an account. 3) Complete and submit your application.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own schemes: see their official sites.

Official sources: GOV.UK – Become an apprentice · GOV.UK – National Minimum Wage rates · Find an apprenticeship · apprenticeships.gov.uk · Skills England – standards · Scotland · Wales · Northern Ireland. Checked 30/10/2026.

Career in Health and Safety

1. H&S (Health and Safety) Inspector / Technician: site supervisor and site manager safety courses (SSSTS, Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme; SMSTS, Site Management Safety Training Scheme) and the NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety. With experience this leads to IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) Technical membership, TechIOSH: a Level 3 – Advanced qualification plus one year’s experience.
2. H&S Advisor: TechIOSH, then a Level 6 qualification to progress.
3. Senior H&S Advisor: NEBOSH National or International Diploma (Level 6) or the ProQual Level 6 NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice. With two years’ professional experience this leads to Certified membership, CertIOSH.
4. H&S Manager: CertIOSH working towards Chartered. On site, the CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) Black Manager card: CSCS lists that Level 6 NVQ for Senior Construction Health & Safety Manager, plus the Managers and Professionals health, safety and environment test.
5. Head / Director of H&S: Chartered Member, CMIOSH (at least three years in senior roles); later Chartered Fellow, CFIOSH.

Note: IOSH no longer uses the “Grad IOSH” grade; current grades are TechIOSH, CertIOSH, CMIOSH and CFIOSH.

Official sources: IOSH – membership levels · NEBOSH – IOSH recognition · CSCS – supervisors and managers · CSCS – Black Manager card · ProQual. Checked 30/10/2026.