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You can take a short course in DIY skills at college. This can be a good starting point and useful when applying for jobs.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for this route.

You could do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in a construction trade like plumbing or carpentry.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

You can volunteer to help out with DIY jobs for a housing association or a charity. This can give you the chance to pick up skills and make contacts, which may lead to paid work.

You can look for volunteering opportunities through Do-it.

You can apply directly to become a handyperson. Employers will expect you to have good DIY skills.

You may also find it useful to have experience or qualifications in joinery, plumbing or electrics.

Career tips

Experience of working with older people or people with disabilities in a housing or social care setting can be useful.

Further information

You can find out more about careers using construction skills from Go Construct.

You'll need:

• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to work well with your hands
• problem-solving skills
• practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• putting up curtain rails, shelves and picture frames
• fitting smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and grab rails
• replacing fuses, plugs and light bulbs
• fitting door and window locks, and alarms
• unblocking sinks, and fixing leaking taps and overflow problems
• adjusting or re-hanging doors
• moving or assembling items of furniture
• painting and decorating
• basic gardening services, clearing out guttering or minor building repairs

You could work at a client's home.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and you'll travel often.