Work experience in the construction industry

Relevant experience such as an
internship is key to getting a
graduate scheme place in the
diverse world of the construction
industry. Knowing what you need,
when is best to apply and how to
stand out from the competition in
your application can be achieved by
doing your research, networking with
those in the industry and talking to
your careers service.

As the sector continues to grow
following the recession, industryrelated
work experience is getting
more competitive, but if you can
secure experience in the industry it
will:

• Display to employers that you have
  a genuine desire to join the industry
• Show that you can carry out work
  similar to that of a graduate
  employee
• Develop a network of industry
  contacts who might be able to help
  you in your search for jobs
• Develop the ‘employability’ skills
  that you’ll need in the working
  world.

Types of work experience

Most work experience placements
are open to students in the second
year of their degree and you should
apply early in the academic year – a
common mistake is leaving it too late.
Start researching placements in your
first year, and try to get less formal
experience with smaller
organisations.

Work experience options include:

• a year in industry as part of your
  Degree.
• summer or vacation placements,
  usually aimed at penultimate-year
  students but also keen first years
  or finalists.
• unpaid placements or workshadowing,
  where you follow a
  construction professional
  throughout their working day to
  gain an understanding of their job.
• volunteering projects, for example
  house-building overseas.

Application tips

Do your research on the employer and
write about why you want to do work
experience at that company in
particular: reasons could include their
expertise in a certain area or the
recent projects they’ve worked on.
Employers don’t expect the same level
of technical knowledge and
experience as they do of graduates.
But they do expect enthusiastic people
who can articulate their motivation
for working in construction and are
aware of current industry issues.

• Make the most of any
  opportunities offered by your
  college: go on all study trips to
  sites and employers.
• Go for labouring/short-term
  agency work (if you want to work
  in building surveying
• try a parttime
  job in an estate agency).
• Speculatively apply for workshadowing
  (observation) or work
  experience opportunities. Tailor
  your application to the company
  you’re applying to.
• Know what’s happening in the
  Industry, check what’s happening
  with professional bodies such as
  the Construction Industry
  Federation (www.cif.ie)
• Take a year out and volunteer on a
  charity construction project.
• Get a non-construction job in a
  construction firm – you may hear
  of other opportunities you can
  apply for

.