Out of the classroom and into construction: I’m looking for a career in the built environment – and it isn’t easy

By Oscar Sitwell 2025-09-15T06:00:00

Even with excellent A level results, many school leavers are still struggling to navigate the best route towards a career in construction, writes Oscar Sitwell - and two industry veterans, Mark Farmer and Colin Wood, offer some advice

A few weeks ago, I posted a simple question on LinkedIn: “What more can an 18-year-old with straight As at A level do to earn a place on a degree apprenticeship in the built environment?” I did not expect what happened next.

Over 30,000 views; dozens of comments; hundreds of direct messages. Some were from CEOs, senior partners and recruiters offering advice and encouragement, which still blows my mind. But what surprised me most were the quiet ones – students like me and even parents – messaging privately because they were too shy to comment publicly.

It made me realise how many of us want to understand this industry and how to get in to it, but don’t know where to start.

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