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Builders' merchants supply building materials, DIY products and construction equipment to tradespeople and the public.
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on shifts
As a builders' merchant, you could:
You may need to wear protective clothing.
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 can get into this job through:
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.
You'll usually need:
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 to:
A background in the construction industry, for example painting and decorating or working with timber, could be helpful, though is not essential.
Good IT skills are useful for using computerised stock and booking systems but employers will give you training when you start.
You can find out more about working as a builders' merchant from Building Materials Careers, and working in construction equipment hire from Go Construct.
With experience, you could become a warehouse team leader, branch manager or area manager.
You might also move into construction plant hire, trade sales or deliveries.
In a larger organisation, you may find opportunties to work in different parts of the business, for example:supply chain and logistics; buying; sales and marketing