How they work

An apprenticeship framework is based around an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) or SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification). These qualifications are developed and approved by people who work in the industry, and are designed to measure your practical skills and job knowledge by assessing your work on-site. 

As part of your apprenticeship, you will also sit and achieve:

• the ConstructionSkills Health and Safety Test
• the relevant technical certificate
• the appropriate level of key skills assessment
• an Employers Rights and Responsibilities briefing

The apprenticeship framework is designed to help prepare you for a career on site, and to ensure you get the right qualifications to get on in the construction sector, including qualifying for an appropriate card scheme.

Apprenticeship schemes

All ConstructionSkills apprentices in England and Wales are registered with the Construction Apprenticeships Scheme (CAS) and in Scotland with the Scottish Training Apprenticeship Scheme (SBATC).

Essentially, these act as an agreement between you (the apprentice), your employer and ConstructionSkills, as the apprenticeship provider. They help ensure you receive what you’re entitled to in terms of working conditions, wages, recruitment, training and development.