I've recently done some health and safety training and it's really boosted the morale of my staff. If I want to invest in some more training, what's the next logical thing to focus on?

There are loads of opportunities to continue training and ConstructionSkills employs special advisors who will help you identify what you and your staff would benefit from being trained in.

Electrician jobs are for practical people who are prepared to do a physically demanding day’s work. Electricans – or Sparks, as they’re often known – work in all kinds of conditions, inside and outdoors, and they frequently work at great height.

The job of an electrician is also a varied one. Almost every building, not to mention roads and railways, have some form of electrical facilities, and these have to be designed, installed and maintained by electricians.

Plumbing jobs are for practical people who are prepared to do a physically demanding day’s work

A plumber’s job is varied and can involve work on new buildings, extension or refurbishment of existing buildings, or maintenance. Plumbers install central heating systems, including electricity, gas and oil, and sometimes solar powered systems. Plumbers also install sanitary systems, drainage systems and guttering.

My son wants to go into the construction industry but I want to know what the growth areas are and how he should get into them? With the Government's drive to get people to University, will he need a degree?

According to industry forecasts from the Construction Skills Network there is a requirement for 87,000 new recruits every year and with a huge range of jobs from skilled trades to professions your son has made a great career choice!

I run a medium-sized construction firm and we've got a management level position available. We're interested in getting in some new blood, but how do I go about recruiting a new graduate and what would I need to be able to provide them if we employed them?

A great way to attract a graduate into your firm is through the Inspire scholarship scheme, which sponsors undergraduates through construction and built environment degree courses. ConstructionSkills, the scheme backers, will advertise the vacancy and perform the initial sift of applications, saving you money on HR tasks.

I'm a small builder, and while I want to invest in training for my staff, it sounds like it's going to be expensive. Is there any financial help available?
Training costs can vary from £17.50 to sit the health and safety test to thousands of pounds for higher level qualifications such as degrees, but investing in your staff does reap rewards.

I want to train in painting and decorating or tiling, but I do not have the time to complete a lengthy college course. Are there intensive courses available and do they lead to qualifications?

Good news – you can train to become a professional painter and decorator or tiler in as little as two or four weeks using intensive trade training providers, which offer courses to suit all ages and abilities.

I want an apprentice that can earn their money from day one rather than have them learn slowly at college. Are there any short courses I can send them on to get value for money?

Yes, there are intensive courses that last four weeks, which can do exactly that – make your apprentice earn their money from day-one.

The recent news about the crane accidents has made me think more about the safety of my staff on-site. We all did apprenticeships years ago but how can we update our health and safety knowledge?

Don’t worry – it is now easier than ever to get all your staff up to date for health and safety.

I keep hearing about the new CDM regulations but the information I've seen is very confusing. Is there any training I can do to stay on the right side of the law?

The revised Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) came into force in April, and it always takes a while to get used to changes in the law.