Thinking about your Options?
Start shaping your future with the right choices.
Explore how the subjects and skills you’re learning now can lead to exciting careers in Construction & Green Economy—one of the UK’s most vital and future-focused sectors. From building net-zero homes and skyscrapers to installing solar farms, retrofitting old buildings for energy efficiency, or designing flood defences, this is where hands-on skills meet the fight against climate change.
Check what’s available at your school and remember: choosing a strong mix of practical, scientific, and problem-solving subjects keeps your options wide open and your future full of possibilities.
Core subjects
What to study?
Relevant Year 9 Options Subjects
Closely Linked Subjects
💼 BTEC Enterprise – Useful for project management, contracting and running your own construction firm.
🏗️ Construction & the Built Environment – The core subject that directly prepares you for the industry.
⚙️ Engineering – Highly relevant for civil, structural and mechanical roles on site.
🌍 Geography – Key for understanding climate, sustainability, planning and environmental management.
Linked Subjects
🎨 Art – Great for architectural design, interior fit-outs, landscaping and visualising green spaces.
🚀 Boost: Skills for life & learning – Builds confidence and core skills in numeracy, literacy, science & digital to support GCSE Maths & English pass for Year 9 students working towards grade level.
🏛️ History – Useful for heritage conservation, restoring listed buildings and understanding traditional construction techniques.
🗣️ Modern Foreign Language – Key for international projects, global supply chains, sustainable partnerships and cross-border green initiatives.
🙏 Religious Education – Develops ethical awareness important for sustainable and community-focused building projects.
🗺️ Travel and Tourism – Relevant for large-scale leisure developments, eco-tourism projects and sustainable visitor infrastructure.
🧵 Textiles – Links to innovative sustainable materials, geo-textiles, insulation and interior finishes in green buildings.
Career areas
Unlock Careers in Construction & Green Economy
See the exciting career areas you can unlock by studying subjects within the Gateway. From raising skyscrapers to delivering wind farms, retrofitting homes to save the planet, or protecting communities from flooding, these pathways let you build the sustainable Britain of tomorrow.
The table below highlights the most popular and diverse roles currently in high demand—perfect starting points for your future.
Career Areas within this Gateway |
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| 🏛️ Architect
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🛠 Carpenter
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🧱 Bricklayer
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| 🌿 Green Energy Engineer
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🏠 Roofer
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📏 Surveyor
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| 🚰 Plumber
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🔨 Joiner
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🦺 Health & Safety Officer
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Post-16 opportunities
T Levels are a two-year qualification equivalent to three A Levels and combine classroom learning with an extended in-depth industry placement lasting at least 45 days. On completion, progression can be onto Higher / Degree apprenticeships, university or employment.
T level in Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing is offered at the following local colleges:
- NSCG – View All Courses
- Stoke on Trent College – T Levels
A-levels are a 2-year programme ideal for students who want to study 3 subjects in depth and plan to progress onto university or a Higher apprenticeship. They can be a great option for learners who enjoy learning facts and theories, are good at exams and doing independent learning and research outside of the classroom.
Subjects relevant to Construction include:
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Maths, Physics, Product Design are often required.
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Other relevant subjects include: Geography, Business, Environmental Science, Economics, Chemistry, Computer Science
A levels are offered at the following local colleges and 6th Forms:
- NSCG – A Levels and A+ Programmes
- City of Stoke on Trent 6th Form College – Courses Archive
- St Thomas More – Sixth Form
- St Josephs College – Sixth Form
- St Margaret Ward - Sixth Form Courses
Apprenticeships can be a great option for learners who are ready for the work place and are sure about the job they want to pursue. Learners will have to find an employer to take them on by searching for apprenticeship vacancies and going through the employer’s recruitment process. Employers are generally looking for applicants who are self motivated, have a good standard of maths and English and are reliable and passionate about achieving their chosen job role.
School leavers will usually start on either a Level 2 (Intermediate) or Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship depending on job requirements and GCSE grades. Level 3 apprenticeships are generally equivalent to 2 A-levels.
Search for Construction & the Built Environment vacancies by postcode Browse apprenticeships before you apply
Pre-apprenticeships are ideal for learners who want an apprenticeship but may not yet be work ready. Need to improve your maths and English, develop your confidence or gain some relevant work experience? If so, a pre-apprenticeship at a local training provider could be right for you.
The following local training providers offer construction pre-apprenticeships or study programmes:
- Nacro, Stoke – Nacro Education Stoke-on-Trent | Vocational Training
- Martec Training – Level 1 Building and Construction
- Learn4work (Study programme with work placement in Parks & Gardens) – Learn 4 Work | Learn 4 Work | Stoke-on-Trent
Skills based courses are available at level 1 and level 2 and will include English and maths, if grade 4 or above has not already been achieved in these subjects.
The following colleges offer Level 1 and level 2 Skills based courses in a range of construction trades:
- Stoke on Trent College (Burslem) – Courses
- NSCG – Construction & Engineering