Southampton's main programmes
- University student housing. Vinci Building is the construction partner in the Aspire consortium (with Hochtief PPP Solutions and developer Cityheart), on a programme Glenigan values at £600m (Construction News, March 2026):
- New build: 1,092 student beds at the Connaught and South Stoneham campuses, with initial works due to finish by 2029.
- Refurbishment: 399 rooms at Archers Road and restoration of the Grade II*-listed Stoneham House.
- Planning: the university said it would apply for planning shortly after the March announcement, so check progress.
- Townhill Park. Southampton City Council appointed Sovereign Network Group (SNG) to deliver around 170 affordable homes on Plots 2 and 9, after appointing Abri for up to 189 homes on Plots 5 and 6. Under the council's Affordable Housing Framework, council land passes to the housing provider, which builds social rent, affordable rent and shared ownership homes. The council says it's "determined to see shovels in the ground as soon as possible" (Southampton City Council, September 2025).
Our read: a multi-year student programme needs groundworks, frame, drylining, M&E and labourers, and the listed building adds heritage work. At Townhill Park, SNG and Abri will appoint the builders, so watch for their contractor announcements.
CITB test centres near Southampton
| Where to test | Postcode | Route from the station or stop (Pearson's words, summarised) |
|---|---|---|
| Pearson Professional Centres-UK Southampton, Anglo City House, 2-6 Shirley Road | SO15 3EU | Southampton Central north exit (Platform 1), then west via Blechynden Terrace |
| Pearson Professional Centres-UK Fareham, Thackeray House, West Street | PO16 0EN | About 400m along West Street from Fareham station |
| Pearson Professional Centres-UK Portsmouth, Enterprise House, Isambard Brunel Road | PO1 2AN | About two minutes from Portsmouth and Southsea station |
No SO-postcode venue appears on CITB's Internet Test Centre map, so if Pearson's three don't suit, book via CITB, by phone on 0344 994 4488 or online. Third-party resellers often add a mark-up. Bring photo ID and allow 15 minutes before your slot. Pearson VUE shows availability.
Southampton card basics
Unless Get Site Ready covers it, you'll need to arrange three things yourself. First, a Level 1 health and safety award in a construction environment (CSCS). Second, a pass in CITB's £23.50 Operatives test, 45 minutes long (CITB). Third, a £36 card application in the My CSCS app (CSCS).
After two years the Labourer card needs renewing with an employer's say-so (CSCS). It's not a legal must-have, but CSCS confirms big contractors usually insist on it (CSCS FAQs).
Free training: Get Site Ready and Level 2s
Get Site Ready (Sector-based Work Academy Programme), SHCG. It runs at SHCG's CETC civil engineering training centre (SHCG), which is on Daedalus Airfield at Lee-on-the-Solent, PO13 9FU, not in Southampton itself (SHCG CETC):
- Length: three weeks.
- Qualifications: a Level 1 Brick Award, the Level 1 Health and Safety award and a CSCS green card.
- Eligibility: 19+, a good understanding of English, and claiming Universal Credit, JSA or ESA. SHCG says you won't lose your benefits while taking part.
- Afterwards: a guaranteed interview with a local employer or agency, and routes into Level 2 groundworks or highways apprenticeships.
SHCG lists a start on 24 November 2026, Tuesday to Friday (SHCG).
A further start is listed for 12 January 2027 (SHCG).
Funded Level 2. If Get Site Ready isn't an option, anyone 19 or older who is jobless or on less than £25,750 a year can take a construction Level 2 at no cost in England (GOV.UK).
Hampshire apprenticeships
Get Site Ready leads to Level 2 groundworks and highways apprenticeships (SHCG). Foundation apprenticeships are designed for people without experience and open to anyone aged 16 to 21 (apprenticeships.gov.uk). Search gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship for Southampton and Hampshire. The government has also announced a minimum of 3% apprentices on large government construction projects, though details were unconfirmed when we checked (Construction News).
Breaking in with no experience
- Ask your work coach about Get Site Ready if you're claiming.
- Watch the university sites at Connaught and South Stoneham. Once Vinci is on site, its subcontractors will need labourers.
- Track Townhill Park for SNG's and Abri's contractors.
- Sign up with M27-corridor agencies (Southampton and Eastleigh) and ask how you'll be paid. Under CIS, a fifth of each payment is withheld, or 30% without registration (GOV.UK).
- Check DWP's job site for Hampshire builders.
Getting to Southampton sites
Townhill Park is in the north-east of the city, and the university's Connaught and South Stoneham sites are in the north. The CETC training centre is in Lee-on-the-Solent, outside the city, so check the bus or arrange a lift before you enrol.
Pay
We couldn't find a Southampton-specific rate. England's careers service gives £23,000 starting and up to £35,000 with experience, for 40 to 44 hours. Being self-employed means no paid holidays (GOV.UK).
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free CSCS course for Southampton jobseekers?
Yes, if you're 19+ and on Universal Credit, JSA or ESA. SHCG's three-week Get Site Ready course at CETC, Lee-on-the-Solent, includes the Level 1 health and safety award, a Level 1 brick award, a CSCS green card and a guaranteed interview (SHCG).
Which Southampton building hosts the CITB test?
Pearson's centre is on the second floor (south suite) of Anglo City House, 2-6 Shirley Road, SO15 3EU, reached from Southampton Central's north exit (Pearson VUE).
Who is building the university's student housing?
Vinci Building, as construction partner in the Aspire consortium, on a programme Glenigan values at £600m (Construction News).
Will a SWAP course affect my benefits?
SHCG says you won't lose your benefits while on its Get Site Ready SWAP (SHCG). Tell your work coach before you start.
Southampton jobs and projects
University and Townhill Park plots go through planning before hiring. Follow Southampton's live jobs and upcoming projects on building-jobs.co.uk, or browse labouring jobs in Southampton, groundworks jobs in Southampton and electrical jobs in Southampton.
Sources rechecked 30 October 2026. SWAP dates change, so check SHCG's page or your work coach before planning around them.
How we research these guides: sources, dates and corrections — read the method.