Build My Path: Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation of Construction Talent
For many young people, securing a place on a construction course is the first step towards a rewarding career. Finding an employer to begin or continue an apprenticeship, however, can often be the biggest challenge.
To help bridge that gap, Construction Futures and the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITB NI) jointly launched Build My Path - a pilot initiative designed to connect aspiring apprentices with employers offering apprenticeship opportunities across Northern Ireland's built environment.
Developed collaboratively, Build My Path aims to reduce duplication for employers while creating one central place where students can discover apprenticeship opportunities across the sector.
The pilot website brings together these vacancies from employers across Northern Ireland alongside opportunities promoted by colleges, universities and training providers, making it easier for students and prospective apprentices to discover opportunities and take the next step in their careers.
Now, 2 months since the pilot launched, plans are already underway to develop the platform further for the 2026/27 academic year. With visits to the website increasing by more than 600% since July, the demand for a central hub to find apprenticeship opportunities is clear.
Why apprenticeships matter
Construction apprenticeships play a vital role in developing the industry's future workforce. They combine valuable workplace experience with recognised qualifications, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn and build the skills needed for a successful career. For employers, apprenticeships provide the opportunity to develop skilled workers who understand their business from day one.
Every year, many students secure places on construction courses but face the challenge of finding an employer to begin or continue their apprenticeship. Build My Path has been created to help address that challenge by creating a direct link between aspiring apprentices and employers who are actively recruiting.
The initiative comes at an important time for the construction industry. With skills shortages, an ageing workforce and the ongoing need to attract more young people into the sector, creating clear pathways into employment has never been more important.
Construction offers a diverse range of career opportunities across traditional trades, engineering, digital construction, management, sustainability and many other areas. However, ensuring young people can access those opportunities is essential to building the skilled workforce the industry will need in the years ahead.
Ready to take the next step?
Build My Path is open to anyone looking to start a construction apprenticeship in Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on students who have already secured a place on a construction course but still need an employer to begin or continue their apprenticeship.
If a vacancy interests you, simply contact the employer directly using the details provided on the listing. Build My Path does not manage or match applications; its role is to connect aspiring apprentices with employers who are actively recruiting.
The service is completely free for both apprentices and employers.
Construction employers across Northern Ireland are also being encouraged to get involved by promoting their apprenticeship opportunities through Build My Path.
Businesses with apprenticeship vacancies can complete a short Microsoft Form, and their vacancy will be published on the Build My Path website within 48 hours.
Whether you're a large contractor, specialist subcontractor or a small local business, Build My Path provides a simple and free way to connect with the next generation of construction professionals while helping to build a stronger, more skilled workforce for Northern Ireland's future.
Because every apprenticeship is more than a job opportunity, it is the beginning of a career, the growth of a business and an investment in the future of Northern Ireland's construction industry.