Apprenticeship Trades

An architectural technician is responsible for supporting an architectural project from concept to completion. They help to provide technical building models, created using current technology and traditional methods.An architectural technician is responsible for supporting an architectural project from concept to completion. They help to provide technical building models, created using current technology and traditional methods. The different demands of an architectural technician mean that every day is different. Duties include:

• Collating and organising technical building information from architects
• Preparing designs using CAD (computer aided design) software and traditional drawing methods
• Making site visits
• Investigating and offering technical advice on factors that affect building developments, including user needs, site and building surveys, and regulatory requirements
• Monitoring designs for health and safety and contributing to risk assessments
• Coordinating detailed design information
• Preparing specifications for construction work
• Preparing drawings, plans, and documents for statutory approvals
• Obtaining tenders for construction work
• Preparing applications for approval by regulatory bodies
• Contributing to meetings and document preparation
• Researching new design processes, building legislation and technology.

Bricklayers lay bricks, pre-cut stone and concrete blocks in mortar. They construct, extend and repair domestic and commercial buildings, and other structures such as foundations, walls, chimneys or decorative masonry work. Bricklaying offers a real sense of achievement. At the end of a project, you’ll see the results and be able to say, ‘I built that’. As a bricklayer, you will be responsible for one of the most important elements of construction within the housing industry. Duties include laying bricks, measuring out areas, and repairing or maintaining existing structures. The job role of a bricklayer includes the following duties:

• Laying bricks
• Applying or removing mortar with a trowel
• Working accurately from detailed plans and specifications
• Sealing foundations with damp-resistant materials
• Using spirit levels and plumb lines to check building alignment
• Using hand tools, power tools and brick-cutting machines
• Constructing arches and ornamental brickwork
• Repairing and maintaining building blocks
• Measuring out build areas and setting out the first rows of bricks and damp course
• Working outdoors on construction sites, in all weathers and at height.

Administrators support the smooth running of offices by carrying out clerical tasks and projects. As an administrator in the construction industry, you could be organising project meetings. You’d be typing up documents, responding to business enquiries, drawing up contracts and providing customer service. You are likely to be processing lots of information using a computer, so you’ll need strong IT skills. Excellent communication skills are also important, to ensure the office operates efficiently. There is huge scope for career progression as an administrator, in a variety of settings. As an administrator, you will be responsible for helping the smooth running of the business by ensuring filing and documentation is kep up to date. Duties may include using specialist computer software and understanding the requirements of the business you are working in. You could also be required to be customer-facing – via email, phone, or greeting visitors. The job role of an administrator involves the following duties:

• Preparing, organising and storing information in paper and digital form
• Dealing with queries on the phone and by email
• Greeting visitors at reception
• Managing diaries, scheduling meetings and booking rooms
• Arranging travel and accommodation
• Arranging post and deliveries
• Taking minutes at meetings
• Typing up letters and reports
• Updating computer records using a database
• Printing and photocopying
• Ordering office supplies
• Maintaining office systems
• Liaising with suppliers and contractors
• Liaising with staff in other departments, e.g. finance, HR
• Working in an office.

A Site Carpenter will prepare and install basic building components e.g. doors, straight staircases, wall and floor units and erecting structural carpentry and roof structures on a building site or in domestic and commercial premises. A Site Carpenter would generally liaise with other trades such as bricklayers, plasterers and plumbers, supervisors, site management and contractors. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for working in a team, under supervision, using machinery and tools to create roof structures, floors, partitions and second fix work such as door frames and skirting. Typical duties will include:

• Install door/window frames, floor joist coverings, partitions, cladding, stair components
• Erect inclined roofs with gables
• Repair or replace doors, windows, mouldings, frames
• Set up and use saw, drills, biscuit jointer, disc cutter

Dryliners create walls and rooms in buildings. They use plasterboard to hide pipes and wires, make space for insulation and smooth out uneven surfaces. They can build suspended ceilings, raised floors, and provide specialist soundproofing. The role involves measuring, cutting and attaching plasterboard (fixing), and sealing over joints between boards to smooth the edges (finishing). As a dryliner you will be responsible for creating walls using plasterboard. The job role of a dryliner involves the following duties:

• Measuring and cutting plasterboard to the right size
• Fixing boards to metal or timber ceiling joists
• Cutting boards to fit around doorways and windows
• Sealing joints using fillers and adhesives
• Taping over seals and applying plaster to the boards
• Sanding down surfaces ready for painting and decorating
• Working at a client’s home or business, or on a construction site.

Plumbers fit and maintain water systems in buildings. This includes toilets, baths, showers, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers. They can also install central heating systems but need additional qualifications to work with gas boilers. Plumbers install new pipework, service older systems, identify and fix faults, and may attend emergency call-outs when water or heating systems are damaged. As a plumber you will be responsible for ensuring the movement of water or drainage in a property is functioning correctly. This could involve installing new systems, or repairing issues on existing pipes or systems. The job role of a plumber involves the following duties:

• Installing hot and cold water, sanitation and drainage
• Setting up rainwater harvesters and lead soakers
• Installing central heating systems and domestic fuel-burning appliances using gas, oil or solid fuel
• Designing water and heating systems
• Cutting and joining pipes and fittings
• Measuring or assessing sites to provide clients with an estimate
• Servicing systems and fixing faults
• Responding to emergency call-outs such as floods or boiler breakdowns
• Working at a client’s home or business, often at height or in cramped conditions.