Leading, managing and coordinating the design and/or construction process on building and infrastructure projects.
Apprentices learn to lead, manage and coordinate the design and construction process across building and infrastructure projects. The programme covers design development from concept to completion, translating design intent into construction-ready information, and managing input from architects, engineers and other consultants. Apprentices also study health and safety compliance, cost control, sustainability objectives, contract administration, and statutory consents. By the end, they can manage design information flows, assess buildability, and contribute to project handover and post-completion feedback processes.
Working across office, design studio and site environments, apprentices coordinate design information between consultants and construction teams, ensuring the right drawings and specifications reach the right people at the right time. They attend design and project meetings, review proposals against the client brief, support cost control and programming activities, and assist with contract administration. On site, they monitor whether construction aligns with the approved design, flag potential risks, and help manage interfaces between stakeholders including planners, clients and subcontractors.
Completion typically leads to roles such as Design Manager, Construction Manager, Project Manager or BIM Manager, working across housebuilding, commercial development, infrastructure and public sector construction. Employers range from main contractors and specialist subcontractors to developer clients and design-and-build firms. With experience, progression moves towards Senior Design Manager, Head of Design or Project Director level. The degree-level qualification also provides a foundation for chartered membership with bodies such as the CIOB or APM, opening further senior career routes.
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Completers typically move into roles such as Design Manager, Assistant Design Manager, Design Coordinator, or Junior Construction Manager within a contractor, developer, or consultancy. Some take on Building Information Modelling (BIM) Coordinator positions where digital design management is the primary focus. Others step into roles with main contractors as Site Manager or Package Manager, particularly where the job involves translating design information into on-site delivery.
Within three to five years, many move into Design Manager or Senior Design Manager positions, taking full ownership of the design process on mid-to-large projects. The leadership track leads toward Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, and eventually Project Director or Head of Design. The specialist route tends toward technical authority roles such as BIM Manager, Design Director, or Principal Designer under CDM regulations. Chartered membership of bodies such as CIOB or RICS is a common milestone along either path.
Main contractors, specialist subcontractors, and development companies are the primary hirers, along with design-and-build firms where a single organisation holds responsibility for both design and construction delivery. Infrastructure clients in highways, rail, and utilities take on these roles, as do housing developers and public sector bodies procuring large capital programmes. Roles exist across organisations of all sizes, from regional SME contractors to national Tier 1 construction businesses.
Learning takes place entirely alongside employment, with the apprentice applying knowledge and skills directly to live construction and design projects throughout the programme. Before final assessment, the apprentice and employer must confirm readiness, often called a gateway, demonstrating that the required knowledge, skills and behaviours have been met. Final assessment then confirms the apprentice's ability to perform competently in the role, including design coordination, construction management, stakeholder communication, health and safety compliance, and contract administration. As assessment models for degree apprenticeships at this level are currently being updated, the standard's gov.uk page should be checked for the current specification.
Evidence of real project work is central to demonstrating competence at this level. Apprentices should keep records of their involvement in design coordination, site management, risk assessments, stakeholder engagement, and contract processes as these activities happen, rather than trying to reconstruct them later. Working closely with both the employer and training provider from the start, tracking progress against the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the standard, will make the gateway readiness check significantly more straightforward when the time comes.
Look for providers with an achievement rate above 65% on FATP, and pay particular attention to employer satisfaction scores, since this standard demands close coordination between provider and workplace. The best providers will have strong ties to construction employers and be able to demonstrate that apprentices spend meaningful time on live projects, not just in a classroom. Accreditation from bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) or the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is a practical signal that the programme aligns with professional recognition routes. Check whether the provider covers your region and can support both site-based and office-based learners.
Be cautious of providers who cannot explain how they integrate design management theory with on-site construction practice. A large learner volume paired with a declining achievement rate on FATP is worth probing. Vague answers about how off-the-job learning connects to actual project work should give you pause. If a provider cannot show you alumni who have progressed into design coordination or construction management roles, or cannot name industry body partnerships, treat that as a warning sign. Outdated BIM or digital project management tools in the curriculum is a particular concern for this standard.
Employers set their own entry requirements, but most expect applicants to hold A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, often including maths or a technical subject. Some employers also consider candidates with relevant industry experience or prior qualifications in construction, design, or engineering. Apprentices must be in paid employment for the duration of the programme, so securing a role with a participating employer before enrolling is a requirement.
The typical duration is 48 months. Throughout that period, apprentices remain employed and apply their learning directly to live projects. A portion of working time is dedicated to off-the-job training, covering academic and vocational elements of the degree. The exact current requirements for off-the-job hours are subject to revision under ongoing Skills England reforms, so check the latest specification on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education page for this standard before planning delivery.
Before the final assessment, the apprentice must pass through a gateway, a checkpoint where the employer and training provider confirm that the apprentice has met all on-programme requirements and is ready for end-point assessment. The apprentice must demonstrate occupational competence across design management, construction coordination, and stakeholder leadership. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated, so refer to the current assessment plan on gov.uk to confirm the specific methods and grading criteria that apply.
The funding band for this standard is £18,000, which is the maximum government contribution towards training costs. Larger employers who pay the apprenticeship levy use levy funds to cover this. Smaller employers co-invest alongside government funding, typically contributing 5 per cent of training costs, though this rate can change. Employers with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing, with the government covering the full training cost. Speak to your chosen training provider about current co-investment rates.
Day-to-day work varies by project stage. In pre-construction, the apprentice supports bid management, programme planning, and design coordination with architects and engineers. On site, they maintain and distribute construction information, track design changes, and facilitate buildability reviews. They also assist with cost control, health and safety compliance, sustainability reporting, and managing stakeholder communication. The role bridges the design team and the construction team, so the apprentice regularly coordinates between consultants, contractors, and clients throughout a project lifecycle.
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads to a degree-level qualification and eligibility to work as a qualified Design and Construction Manager on major building or infrastructure projects. Many graduates pursue chartered membership with professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Building or relevant engineering institutions. Career progression can lead to senior project management, contracts management, or director-level roles. Some go on to postgraduate study or specialist programmes in areas such as project controls, sustainability, or commercial management.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 511.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.