Young people from across the region thinking about their future job and education prospects are being urged to consider a career in the construction industry.

With the deadline for UCAS applications on January 15, CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board, is urging young people from across the East of England to consider the variety of opportunities the construction and Built Environment industry could offer them.

Amanda Sergeant, Sector Strategy Manager for CITB-ConstructionSkills East of England said: 'The construction industry can provide young people with an extremely rewarding and challenging career. As well as traditional trades and careers in areas like architecture and surveying there are lots of other exciting courses in emerging and specialist areas. Construction Management for example, has become increasingly popular foundation degree course in the last few years as has Sustainable Development.

'The industry is seeing far more fusion with other areas of the built environment which has created a demand for highly skilled graduates who can think and work across a range of different areas,' she added. 'Construction is a viable career choice for ambitious and talented young people, it offers so much variety, it's financially rewarding and there's much scope for progression. I'd encourage youngsters from East of England to find out more about the industry and what it could offer them.'

To help provide the next generation with a one-stop shop to access all the information they need about the variety of careers and the different routes of entry to the construction sector, CITB-ConstructionSkills is recommending young people visit its bconstructive web service – www.bconstructive.co.uk.

This service, which has been created with and for young people is part of a drive by CITB-ConstructionSkills to promote the industry to the next generation, to demonstrate the opportunities the sector offers and encourage a pipeline of new talent into the sector.

It features a number of case studies of trainees already working in the industry as well as an A-Z of career profiles outlining clearly what the role involves, potential earnings and the types of skills that the role requires.

For further information about career opportunities and different routes of entry in the construction industry please visit www.bconstructive.co.uk