You could apply to do a Trade Supplier Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship with a building supplies company.

You could also do a Hire Controller (plant, tools and equipment) Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, if you want to work in construction plant hire.

These typically take 1 year to complete and combine learning in the workplace and off-site training.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

You could apply directly to work as a builders' merchant.

Employers may want you to have GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths and English.

Experience in retail or warehousing could also be useful.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• physical fitness and endurance
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• have forklift truck driver training for some jobs

Some jobs with a builders' merchant may involve driving delivery trucks up to 7.5 tonnes. For these you'll need to have a category C1 driving licence.

As a builders' merchant, you could:

• take customer orders face to face, over the phone and online
• advise customers on products, materials and equipment
• load and unload deliveries by hand or with a forklift truck
• process payments and send out invoices
• put orders together and organise deliveries
• monitor stock, re-order supplies and keep records up to date

You could work at a builder's yard, at a store or in a warehouse.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.