North East school leavers urged to explore careers in Building Materials supply

School leavers across the North East are being urged to consider a career in building materials supply as the wait for their GCSE exam results comes to an end.

National trade body the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has published a digital pack that sets out routes into employment and training as part of its Building Materials Careers campaign.

The BM Careers Guide also includes progression opportunities alongside real-life case studies, and is featured on the BMCareers portal, where employers across the sector post current job vacancies.

Marianna Peet MIBM, is Learning & Development and Apprenticeship Manager at the Builders Merchants Federation.

She said: “Building materials isn’t usually the first thing that springs to young people’s minds when they think about their future, but it offers wide opportunities for young people.

“What’s more is that the skills youngsters have already developed, through school, sport, volunteering, cadets or other activities, could be exactly what employers are looking for.

“You can start as an apprentice, earn while you learn, gain professional qualifications and progress into management and leadership roles.

“Apprenticeships provide a route into a wide range of careers beyond traditional construction roles, with opportunities in sales, logistics, marketing, finance, HR and digital technology, as well as many others.

“For young people who want to start earning, gain practical experience and continue learning, an apprenticeship can provide an alternative to full-time study.”

Apprenticeships are a key route into the building materials sector, combining paid employment with practical experience, training and recognised qualifications.

The BMF launched an Apprenticeship Pledge in 2023, encouraging its members to increase the number of apprentices across the sector. Its pledge target of 15,000 apprenticeships by 2030 was reached five years early in 2025.

The BMF’s new careers pack is available from the BMCareers website, which features a host of resources to help young people understand the industry and find a route that suits them, including available apprenticeships, open days, work experience and others.

They can also search hundreds of live vacancies, employer profiles and upload their CVs.

Kasey Barnes, Marketing Manager at E.Tupling, a plumbing and heating distributor, is a shining example of the career progression available in the sector.

In just three and a half years, Kasey has progressed from apprentice to Marketing Manager and is currently studying for her Level 4 Marketing Apprenticeship.

She said: “The opportunities in this industry are endless. I never imagined I’d be appointed to Marketing Manager in such a short space of time, but this industry gave me that chance. The building materials sector might not seem the obvious choice when you’re leaving school, but it’s full of people who genuinely want to help you succeed. There are so many different careers here, and if you want somewhere you can grow, challenge yourself and build a future, this could be the place for you.”

The BMCareers Pack can be found here

More information can be found at www.bmcareers.com.