What is construction engineering? Read on for everything you need to know about this amazing industry and the kinds of careers it offers young people.

Construction engineering is a big industry, worth £16 billion a year to the UK economy and offers a wide range of employment opportunities for STEM students in particular. Construction engineering is all about being part of the team which builds and manages important infrastructures like motorways, railways, bridges, dams, power stations, airports and hospitals. Construction jobs are not just for boys either.

Construction engineering is similar to civil engineering but involves much more hands-on work, with job opportunities for craft engineers, site supervisors, semi-skilled workers and technicians, to name but a few, who will be doing things like plating, pipefitting, testing machinery and materials, electrical and mechanical maintenance and welding.

Jobs available to school-leavers at entry level

Jobs in construction engineering available to school-leavers at entry level are limited, as the most conventional routes into the industry are through doing a university degree or an apprenticeship. But if you are considering doing an engineering or technology-based degree, you can apply for a scholarship with the Arkwright Scholarships Trust, which allows sixth form students access to, and direct contact with, various areas of the construction engineering industry, over a two year period. It consists of a £900 award which is shared between the student and their school. For more information, go to the ECITB website.

Apprenticeships in construction engineering

Apprenticeships in the construction engineering industry have become a more commonplace way to enter the industry. The most recognised apprenticeship, which helps entrants to gain the skills they need for a successful career in this highly competitive industry, is the Advanced/Modern Apprenticeship in construction engineering.

There are two different types of apprenticeships – Craft and Technician. Craft apprentices train in several areas, including welding, pipefitting and plating. Technician apprentices train for roles in the design and development of engineering systems. Which apprenticeship you choose depends on whether you prefer either the practical or theoretical aspects of the work involved.

The first year of an apprenticeship is spent at a training centre learning basic skills and the second and third years are spent with your sponsor company, getting involved in real construction engineering projects. Not Going to Uni post live construction apprenticeship vacancies on their website and you can find out more about finding a job in construction together with an A - Z of job roles within our construction section and read a real-life case study of people working on the Olympic Park construction.

Graduate options

You may be surprised to know that you don’t have to study engineering at university in order to work in this industry but the construction engineering industry does actively seek graduates who hold degrees in STEM subjects, including physics, environmental and electrical engineering. There is a wide variety of jobs available for graduates who want to work in the engineering construction industry and many companies such as Amey, Bam Nuttall and Skanska all employ university graduates. Visit our dedicated engineering web page for more information.