News and features

The registrations for SkillBuild, the UK’s largest and longest-running multi-trade skills competition, delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), are now open. SkillBuild invites the UK’s top construction trainee talent, skilled learners and apprentices to battle it out to be crowned winners of their chosen trade.

The construction industry always adapts to the changing needs of society, the advancement in technology and new processes, from making eco-friendly materials to sustainability.

Ever wondered what it’s really like to work in construction? Open Doors 2026 gives you the chance to go behind the scenes and see the industry from the inside. Step onto live construction sites, explore offices, factories and training centres across the UK, and experience the world of construction in action.

Black History Month is a chance to celebrate the value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Younger workers today are increasingly choosing employers who reflect these values. Companies that embrace inclusion create stronger, more dynamic teams, and a workplace where everyone can thrive.

While their names may not all survive, the contribution of black people to building Britain has been immense. They faced discrimination, poverty and hardship, and they were given little or no recognition for their efforts. Today it is a different story, as diversity and inclusion has enable talented people from black, Asian and ethnic minorities to advance in their careers and make a real impact on the construction industry.

As part of our series of articles on themes associated with Black History Month, here we highlight some of the figures from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds who have broken down barriers in the construction industry in the 20th and 21st centuries and made an impact on world architecture.

Black history is all around us in the UK. There are fascinating museums and exhibitions, buildings that have tales to tell and legacies that live on, and areas that have been pivotal to shaping black history and culture in Britain. In this article you will learn about the places that are important in black British history.

The event, where more than 1,500 students from primary and secondary schools, companies from Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Humber regions, as well as national organisations will attend, will take place at the Lincolnshire Showground from Tuesday 23 September to Thursday 25 September.

Aiysha Alli, a third year architecture student, recently traded her sketchbook for a hard hat and took part in a recent Open Doors 2025 event.

Go Construct Careers is a new and free to use feature within Go Construct to help those that want to take their first steps into construction industry at entry levels such as work experience, apprenticeship or T-Levels. Career changers that want to enter the industry at entry level or want to become a tutor or assessor.

Humans have been constructing buildings for thousands of years - from simple huts to grand temples. Buildings are reflective of the world around us, and act as a visual representation of how it is continually changing. 

Plant operators drive, operate and maintain large construction machines and equipment on construction sites, such as excavators, dumpers and cranes.

Drylining is a form of cladding for internal walls, and sometimes ceilings, to prepare them for painting or covering (for example in wallpaper). Plasterboard is attached to create a smooth surface.

Getting into the construction industry can be achieved in a few ways. One is by taking on an entry-level job, which means you start out at the beginning in terms of experience, although in some cases you may have existing knowledge from an apprenticeship or work experience.  

More people from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds are choosing careers in construction and succeeding. This is good news not only for employees, but also for the industry as a whole. Greater diversity sets a virtuous circle in motion, making companies more attractive to a broader range of talented individuals.

There is no standard timescale for how long it takes to become a qualified carpenter. It depends on a variety of factors, from the level of apprenticeship you are taking to the type of carpentry you want to do.  

When tourists think of London structures, they think of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St Pauls Cathedral … and the London Eye. It is a modern engineering marvel, Europe’s tallest cantilevered observation wheel and London’s most popular paid attraction. 3.5 million people take a ride in its 32 pods each year.

The construction industry has, for a long time, focused on protecting the physical wellbeing of its workers, while the hard hat and safety clothing may offer protection from physical risks, what is being done to help support people in the industry who may be struggling with their mental health?

What qualifications do you need to become a Quantity Surveyor, a key job role in construction? Find out the routes into a career in quantity surveying, from degrees to degree apprenticeships, how long it takes to qualify and the skills you need.

There are several routes to becoming an electrician, whether you are a school leaver, an A-LEVEL student, or someone considering a change of career. You can gain the qualifications you need by completing a college course or an apprenticeship. If you already have relevant experience, you could apply directly to an employer for a job.

An architecture career is one of the most creative, complex and demanding jobs in construction. That is why it can take seven years to qualify as an architect! But though it is a long apprenticeship, designing buildings can be an incredibly rewarding profession that has a major impact on society. 

Whether you have achieved above and beyond what you were hoping for, or feel disappointed in your results, you may be wondering what happens after results day. Can you do an apprenticeship with your grades? What are your options after passing? What are the next steps if you don’t get the grades you wanted?

What qualifications do you need to become an architect, one of the most competitive and sought-after job roles in construction? Find out the routes into a career in architecture, from degrees to apprenticeships, as well as how to train as an architect, how long it takes and the skills you need.

Carpentry is an integral role within construction, and is well suited for those who are good with their hands, enjoy using tools, and appreciate the feeling of pride in doing a good job.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is widely recognised throughout the construction industry and allows individuals to reputably demonstrate their skills, knowledge and abilities.

The different classes of HGV drivers may seem confusing, so here we explain about what category of vehicles drivers are permitted to drive, some of the other HGV categories and the differences between HGV Class 1 and 2.

Following a career in the armed forces, Craig Foster joined B Price Ltd. Here we find out how he found the transition to the construction industry.

Roads get us from A to B, we all know that – but how and why are they built?

The 828-metre Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai is the world’s tallest building. Composed of 160 storeys, it is also the tallest free-standing structure in the world. Find out how this incredible structure was built, how long it took and what challenges the architects and construction team faced.

The Shard is still as staggering a sight today as it was in 2012 when it first opened. At 306m high, it is the tallest building in western Europe, and in London it towers over everything else on the skyline. It is also one of the most distinctive of skyscrapers, with its upper storeys tapering into the sky like a monumental shard of glass – hence its name.

Wembley Stadium is an iconic feature on the London skyline, and one of the most impressive sports venues in the world. 100 years after the original stadium was opened, find out more about the history of ‘The Home of Football’, how it was built and some of its most impressive features.

Site managers, sometimes known as construction managers or site foreman, are responsible for running construction projects and supervising sites, ensuring the project runs smoothly, safely and is completed on time and in budget.

Joiners are vital workers in the construction industry, creating products and structures from timber that are used in the construction process. Here is our guide to the joinery trade, how it differs from carpentry and the options for getting started as a joiner.

Within any industry, there are various organisations that work to provide different services and formed in different ways. They are all shapes and sizes, ranging from one-man band traders to huge companies.   This guide will explain a little about each type and how they operate, as you are likely to come across them all at some point in your career in construction.