Careers Spotlight: Demolition

Demolition Workers are key players in the construction sector, specialising in the dismantling and systematic removal of structures and materials. Their work paves the way for new construction projects by clearing old or unsafe buildings, requiring precision and adherence to safety protocols.

What Do Demolition Workers Do?

• Structure Dismantling: Carefully take apart existing buildings using a variety of tools and machinery.

• Material Removal: Safely remove and dispose of debris and construction materials, ensuring environmental compliance.

• Site Clearance: Prepare sites for new construction projects by clearing the remnants of demolished structures.

• Safety Compliance: Follow strict safety guidelines to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all crew members.

Could I Be a Demolition Worker?

If you are drawn to physically demanding work and have an interest in the transformative process of construction, a career in demolition might be fitting. Ideal candidates are those who appreciate the importance of safety, possess a keen attention to detail, and can work effectively in team settings.

What Skills Do I Need?

• Physical Strength and Stamina

• Capability to engage in labour-intensive tasks for prolonged periods.

• Team Collaboration

• Effective communication and teamwork skills to work cohesively with other demolition and construction professionals.

• Safety Skills

• A profound understanding of and adherence to safety practices and regulations.

• Technical Proficiency

• Familiarity with demolition tools and machinery, and the ability to learn new techniques efficiently.

How Much Do Demolition Workers Earn?

Earnings for Demolition Workers can vary based on experience, location, and the scale of projects. Entry-level workers might start with salaries ranging from £16,000 to £20,000 annually. Experienced workers, particularly those with specialised skills or supervisory roles, can see earnings in the range of £25,000 to £40,000 per year.

How Do I Get Started?

Apply for the CSCS Green Card

Once you have passed the HS&E test and completed the necessary Health and Safety qualification, you can apply for the CSCS Green Labourer Card. The application can typically be done online through the official CSCS website, and you will need to provide evidence of your qualification and test pass.

Specialised Training

While the CSCS Green Card is an entry-level qualification for construction labourers, working in demolition might require additional training or certifications, depending on the specific tasks and machinery involved. For example, operating demolition machinery or working with explosives would require specialised training and certifications.

Networking

Engage with professionals in the field through job fairs, online forums, and industry associations.

Apply for Positions

Submit applications to demolition companies or construction firms with a strong CV and cover letter, highlighting any relevant experience. Registration with recruitment agencies specialising in construction and demolition can also be beneficial.

Career Progression

If you wish to advance in the demolition sector, consider pursuing additional qualifications, such as the NVQ/SVQ in Demolition at Level 2 or 3, or even specific roles such as Demolition Plant Operative training. These can lead to more specialised CSCS/CPCS cards, reflecting higher skill levels and specialisations.

Starting as a Demolition Worker opens up various pathways for career development within the construction and demolition sectors. With experience, workers can advance to supervisory roles, specialise in certain types of demolition work, or transition into related areas within the construction industry, enhancing their expertise and potential earnings.

If you want to learn more about demolition click on the links below

Boosting your CV

So what is a CV?  CV is short for Curriculum Vitae and is a short document which summarises your unique skills, character, experience and achievements.  

For students it can feel difficult to know what to write as you haven't had the time to build up the experience that employers always seem to want.

In this section we will look at ways of making your CV stand out for future employers so you can get that dream job.  So far we have looked at after school clubs and voluntary work.  This month we consider work experience placements.

Consider work experience placements:

The next logical step up from volunteering is to look for work experience placements. Although these can be hard to come by, they will give you the chance to experience what it’s like being involved in the day-to-day running of a business.  Our year 10 students are just starting preparation for their work experience week in July and our 6th form students have work experience opportunities throughout the year.  

Some work experience placements are paid and some aren’t, but you should aim to make a good impression all the same. In some cases, work experience placements can lead to full-time or part-time job offers.  

We recommend that you take every opportunity you can to help out during your placement, this way you’ll have lots of experience and activities to talk about when it comes to updating your CV. You’ll also have a valuable reference that you can use when applying for full or part-time jobs.

Help for Parents and Carers

When it comes to education and careers, parents and carers have a large influence on a students choices. As an adult you are expected to have all the answers, but in a constantly evolving world it can be a struggle to keep up with the latest options out there.  In this section we will highlight resources that will help keep you up to date with careers and the choices available to young people.

This month we look at apprenticeships.

What is an apprenticeship?

• An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences.

• Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning with a college, university or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification. 

• An apprenticeship includes: 

  • paid employment with holiday leave 

  • hands-on-experience in a sector/role of interest

  • at least 20% off-the-job training 

  • formal assessment which leads to a nationally recognised qualification

At what age can you start an apprenticeship?

• Apprenticeships are for anyone above the age of 16 who isn't in full-time education. There isn't an age limit but they're normally aimed at 16-24 year olds

Are there different types of apprenticeship?

• Apprenticeships are categorised by the level of qualification that you gain on completion.

• Level 2 apprenticeships (Intermediate). Level 2 apprenticeships are the first step on the apprenticeship ladder. As a level 2 apprentice, you’ll gain on-the-job experience alongside qualifications equivalent to five GCSEs. You’ll get a full-time wage for the duration of your apprenticeship as well.  Level 2 apprenticeships take around 12 – 18 months to complete.

• Level 3 apprenticeships (Advanced).  Similarly to a level 2 apprenticeship, level 3 apprentices combine work training with academic study. You’ll earn a wage and gain qualifications equivalent to two A-Levels.  Level 3 apprenticeships take up to 2 years to complete. However, the length of your programme will depend on your employer and capabilities.

• Level 4/5 apprenticeships (Higher). Higher apprenticeships, also referred to as level 4 or level 5 apprenticeships, are designed for school leavers aged 18+.  They’ll give you work experience, qualifications equivalent to a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma (HND), or Higher National Certificate (HNC). These apprenticeships can last anywhere between 3-4 years. The academic modules are usually spent in a further or higher education institution. The rest of a higher apprentice’s time is spent working for a company.

• Degree apprenticeships.  Degree apprenticeships are the pinnacle of apprenticeships and offer the opportunity to earn a degree.  Degree apprenticeships take between 3 and 6 years to complete.

Where can I find more information about apprenticeships?

• There are lots of great websites to help you learn about apprenticeships.  We particularly like

Careers in Hertfordshire: Construction

Hertfordshire has a booming construction industry. The 11 councils which make up Hertfordshire are planning to deliver 100,000 new homes by 2031, and plans are underway to invest into transport, infrastructure, schools, healthcare and more. With a spurt of new job opportunities set to arise from major development zones across the region (such as Hemel Garden Communities and Harlow and Gilston Garden Town), as well as projects needed to support construction’s role in reducing carbon emissions, it’s an exciting time to be working in the sector.

There is also huge construction demand from London, as well as other areas close by, that will draw on the Hertfordshire workforce. The construction industry also needs finance experts and administrators, sales, marketing and customer service support, human resources specialists and employees experienced in buying (procurement) and supply chain (logistics).

For more information please go to www.hopinto.co.uk/ 

Current Opportunities

This month we have opportunities to learn about careers within the health sector and the football industry.  Additionally, The Engineering and Design Institute (TEDI) in London is holding an open Day.  The Careers and Enterprise Company, who we work closely with, are running an event in January to help parents and students learn about T-levels and apprenticeships

Free Live Virtual Get into Medicine Conferences

I hope you are doing well! Do you have students interested in pursuing a career in medicine or dentistry, but aren’t sure where to start? Then we’d love to invite them to one of our upcoming Get Into Medicine or Get Into Dentistry Conferences.

These LIVE virtual conferences offer a comprehensive guide through the entire medical and dental application journey, allowing students to gain key insights into the UCAS application process (including the NEW personal statement structure), connect with doctors, dentists and medical/dental students, and gain a clearer view of a future in medicine or dentistry.

Get Into Medicine:

Saturday 9th November from 9:30am - 3:30pm

Saturday 23rd November from 9:30am - 3:30pm

Sunday 24th November from 9:30am - 3:30pm

Students and Parents/Guardians can register here: https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shry7MZYtt3MGPjvO

Get Into Dentistry:

Sunday 1st December from 9:30am - 3:30pm

Students and Parents/Guardians can register here:

https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shrBuiR7SBAcC19kE

During this conference, students and parents/guardians will have the opportunity to meet and speak with myself, Dr Kennedy, and Dr Safiyyah, where we will cover essential application and academic topics such as:

- Application Timelines

- How to Tactically Choose Medical Schools

- CV Building

- Personal Statements - New format from 2026

- Medical School Interviews

-UCAT - Entrance Exams to Medical School

- Medical Leadership and Awards Programmes

- Accessing Work Experience

- Accessing Scholarships

A certificate of attendance will also be awarded to students who attend, which can be listed on their UCAS applications for ‘activities that support higher education’.

Here’s a rough guide on how the day will run:

9:30-10.00 Registration

10.00-11:00 Quick introduction to Medic Mentor, overview of the day, competition ratios, application timeline, Awards and Scholarships

11:00-11:15 Break

11.15-11.50 Introduction to the UCAS application form and entry requirements

11.50-12.25 Interactive CV building exercise and exclusive access to leadership, research, presentation, publication, prizes and scholarship opportunities

12.25-12.50 Top tips form a successful applicant (medical student)

12:50-13:05 Break

13:05-13.55 Personal Statement: New structure and how to write the perfect personal statement

13:55-14.10 Break

14:10-14.40 Entrance exams - How to ace the UCAT

14.40-15:00 How to prepare for Medical School interviews

15:00-15.30 Top tips form a successful applicant (medical student) and next steps

Register for free here:

Medicine: https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shry7MZYtt3MGPjvO

Dentistry: https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shrBuiR7SBAcC19kE

To join the conference, students must ensure they have a functioning camera and microphone for the session. It's also important that they have a parent or guardian present at these conferences, not only for safeguarding, but also to gain insight and guidance to support them effectively.

If you have any questions, please drop me an email education@medicmentorfamily.org or call our team on 01530 417299.

We look forward to welcoming your students to our future conferences!

Warm regards,

Dr Siva

Chief Mentor 

Get into the football industry with an evening at Vicarage Road 

WHO: 15–21-year-olds, entering into further and higher education. Mature students welcome.

WHERE: Sir Elton John Suite, Vicarage Road Stadium

WHEN: 6.30 – 8.30pm on Wednesday 20th November 2024

TICKETS: £5 (allows entry for two if accompanied by a parent/guardian), £3 Additional Adults.

BOOKING LINK: watfordfcscommunitysportseducationtrust.beaconforms.com/form/6721c6d7?fbclid=IwY2xjawGYKtJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeMfQ7vpEGjMvaoihi_gW6ubC2qyBh70_Etv9O07n6hVDJZ-0Q5VzSadLg_aem_YE6FN-oACgsynXWZ5OewPw

HOPINTO APPRENTICESHIPS AND T-LEVELS 

Taking place on Wednesday 29th January from 17.30 - 19.00, this free of charge event is specifically for parents, carers and students. Who would like to explore apprenticeship and T Level options available.

The HOP into Apprenticeships and T Levels Virtual Careers Fair is in its third year and has been a successful way for employers and training providers to showcase apprenticeship and T Level opportunities to hundreds of parents, carers and students across Hertfordshire.

The event is a collaboration between Hertfordshire Careers Hub, Amazing Apprenticeships, Hertfordshire Employers and the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Provider Network.

Last year's event had 600 parents sign up and over 30 employers and providers.

 Who should attend?

This event is for parents and carers but will be particularly useful for those supporting students in year group year 10 to 13. Students in these year groups are welcome to attend.

Why attend this event?

• Free of charge to attend (fully-funded by Hertfordshire Careers Hub).

• Meet local training providers and colleges to hear about their apprenticeships and T Level programmes.

• Hear from employers about local vacancies available for talented young people seeking their next steps.

• Ask questions and gather information from the comfort of your own home.

• Discover more about the skills and training provision being offered within Hertfordshire.

Young People, Parents and Carers please sign-up here

Currently attending already are:

•        Warner Bros. Discovery

•        Bam UK & I

•        Morgan Sindall Construction

•        MBDA

•        Hertfordshire Building Control

•        Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

•        Computacenter

•        Eisai Ltd

•        John O'Conner

Training providers

•        HRC

•        iSales

•        Institute of the Motor Industry

•        North Hertfordshire College

•        Skillnet Ltd

•        Educational and Sporting Futures

The Engineering and Design Institute Open Days 

Visit our specialist campus to see our creative makerspaces, meet our academic team, take part in hands-on demonstrations and discover how TEDI-London will offer you an engineering degree like no other!

The agenda 

Doors open: 11:00

Introduction to TED-London: 12:00-12:45pm

Our academics and students will introduce how TEDI-London is different to traditional engineering education providers and give an overview of our global design-led curriculum.

Campus tours & makerspace demos: continuous

Drop into our Makerspaces to sample fun hands-on activities with our engineering technicians.

Info marketplace: continuous

In our marketplace you’ll meet our students and learn more about the projects they’ve been working on. The TEDI-London team will be here too with info about student life and affiliate SU societies, financial support and accommodation.

Ask a student: continuous

Ask our current TEDI-London students any questions you might have to find out first hand what it’s like to study with us.

Event close: 14:00

To learn more see the poster below or go to https://tedi-london.ac.uk/events/