The construction industry is in global demand and moving fast! Everywhere you look something is being built, being fixed. But as the demand for construction increases, so does the demand for skilled workers.
We teach the most sustainable construction methods in joinery, brickwork, painting and decorating, plumbing and electrical installation in our industry-standard facilities. Our programmes also develop your business skills to give you the opportunity to become self-employed in the future!
Beth Turner, HNC Diploma in Construction and Apprentice
Picking the right course is the first step in your construction career! There are loads of different pathways to choose from, including:
Whether you choose a full-time study programme and pick your own specialism, or learn on-the-job with an Apprenticeship vacancy, or choose one of our brand new T Levels, we're sure to have something that suits you and your learning style.
T Levels are a brand-new 2-year qualification which can be studied after you finish school instead of A Levels, Apprenticeships or vocational study programmes.
T Levels have been created with top employers, and mix classroom learning and industry experience so that you get the skills and knowledge to help you progress into your dream career.
From September 2023 we will be offering the following Construction and Building Trade T Levels:
Our construction and building trades qualifications are highly practical. You will spend a high percentage of your time in our industry-standard workshops with our Tutors, watching live demonstrations and then practising the skills that you've learnt. We will also make sure that you have all the up-to-date health and safety qualifications that you need to be able to work safely.
Once you've mastered the basics of a trade, you will be introduced to larger project work - often working in groups just as you would if you were working on site.
No matter which construction and building trades route you decide to study, we know that the business side of the construction industry is equally as important as many people are self-employed within trades. We will help you cover the basics of pricing up jobs, how to communicate with customers and the management of people to help you get off the ground.
As a student at The Sheffield College, you will be encouraged to spend time with an employer in a real-life working environment as part of your study programme. This could be experience of work or an industry placement, depending on what kind of course you are studying.
In construction and building trades, our employer partner is Kier Construction.
The Kier Construction Employer Skills Academy allows a hand-selected group of construction students to work closely with representatives from Kier, in order to develop their professional industry knowledge and to build on the practical experience they have gained in the classroom.
By joining the Kier Construction Academy, students will:
We also work with lots more employers to provide you with unique opportunities, including:
Because a lot of our tutors have worked in the construction sector, we have a lot of connections with local businesses and employers in the industry. This means that you'll have plenty of opportunities to interact with those people who might be looking to hire you in the future! It could take the form of visiting guest speakers, class trips to local building sites, competitions and project briefs set by employers or the opportunity to undertake some work experience with a construction firm. Whatever the opportunity, try to take as much from it as possible so that you can use it to your advantage when it comes to applying for jobs.
Our custom-built facilities are what really sets our construction study programmes apart. We have dedicated spaces for all of the key construction trades, including:
With construction projects in Sheffield springing up left, right and centre, job opportunities in this sector are set to increase. In fact, over the next 3 years, South Yorkshire is expected to see an increase of 400 jobs in the building and construction industry.
Not to mention the average wage for employees in this industry is over £30,000 a year, so there's plenty of room for progression and a long-term career for those who are willing to work for it!
Choosing a career path when you've only just left school can seem like a daunting prospect, but our Careers Advice Team are on hand to offer you the best impartial careers guidance going.
They can help you to figure out the kind of jobs that you might enjoy based on your interests, skills and hobbies; or if you already have a pretty good idea of what you'd like to do in the future they can give you some pointers on how to go further and land your dream job.
Ever wondered how much an accountant is South Yorkshire earns? Or what skills you need to become a developer?
