UK colleges will be offering a new qualification this September, to help shape the future of the construction industry.

The Higher Level Apprenticeship in Sustainable Built Environment course is open to A level students (with 80 or more UCAS points), Level 3 Advanced Apprentices, those with BTECs and people already working in the industry.

Students will partake in work based learning at university level, working towards an NVQ Level 5 in construction management (sustainability) and a Higher National Diploma in construction and the built environment, before selecting construction, civil engineering or building services as a specialist subject.

Successful participants will then be able to pursue a career in a wide range of disciplines including architecture, building services, civil engineering, construction management, maintenance, planning and surveying.

Jay Gregson, 19, from Liverpool, works as an air condition engineer for an international firm and was the first person in the UK to enrol on the course.

Sarah Carter, higher apprenticeship project manager at Leeds College of Building, said: “This qualification has been developed with employers, colleges, universities and all the leading sector skills councils in order to add real value to the industry by creating a skilled workforce that is productive and can help businesses to grow.”

The colleges offering the course are Leeds College of Building, Bradford College, Grimsby Institute, Highbury College in Portsmouth, Leicester College, Moulton College in Northampton, New College Nottingham, Oldham College and Stephenson College in Coalville.