Young Bricklayer Urges Peers to Join Construction Industry

Brooke Knight, an 18-year-old bricklayer from Swindon, is encouraging nearly one million unemployed young people in the UK to consider a career in the construction industry. With a growing shortage of skilled workers, Knight emphasizes the financial benefits and job security that come with pursuing vocational training in this field.

Having started her training just two years ago, Knight has seen her salary increase significantly since qualifying. She states, “There are so many jobs up for grabs. It gives a skill for life, there are no college fees and you can earn thousands a week after tax.” Knight’s journey began with an apprenticeship she discovered through The Sun on Sunday’s Builder Better Britain campaign, which aims to highlight employment opportunities for British workers in construction.

Government Campaigns and New Educational Initiatives

This week, Bridget Phillipson, the UK’s Women and Equalities Minister, expressed support for initiatives addressing the skills gap in the housing sector. She announced plans for ten new Construction Technical Excellence Colleges, designed to train young people in various trades, including bricklaying, roofing, and electrical work. This initiative aims to assist the approximately 12.5 percent of 16 to 24-year-olds who are classified as NEETs, meaning they are not in education, employment, or training.

Phillipson noted that the shortage of workers in the building trade is exacerbating the housing crisis. “If you’re an out-of-work young person or someone looking for a new career, get up, get skills and get building,” she remarked. The government has allocated £100 million to establish these colleges, with the goal of training 40,000 skilled tradespeople by 2029.

Brooke Knight encourages her peers to explore these opportunities, stating, “For those who didn’t get the A-level results they wanted — or didn’t take them in the first place — construction could be a brilliant option.” She highlights the camaraderie found on construction sites, explaining, “We’re like a big family, really.”

Success Stories in Construction

Others, like Toby Gouldson, have also found success through The Sun’s apprenticeship listings. At just 18, Gouldson secured a civil engineering apprenticeship with Alan Wood And Partners in Yorkshire. Reflecting on his experience, he said, “I’m not sure I would have landed a job without it.”

With rising wages in the sector, Knight shares that apprentices typically start earning around £80 a day, which can increase to £130 daily upon qualification. “You could end up taking home thousands a week after tax if you play your cards right,” she adds, encouraging young people to view these careers as viable long-term options.

Another advocate for women in construction, Emma Hulme, transitioned from a physiotherapy career to become a bricklayer in 2019. Now managing her own firm, Builder Girl, she actively promotes the trade to young women. “I hope that when people see my van on the road, they might think, ‘Oh, maybe I can do that if she does,’” she said.

As the construction industry seeks to attract more talent, there is a clear call to action for young people to embrace these opportunities. For many, like Knight and others, the path to a fulfilling and financially rewarding career lies in the hands-on work of building and construction.