The federation’s research also revealed that more than half of these bosses were running their own company within seven years of completing their apprenticeship training.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The construction industry is ideally suited to a young person with heaps of ambition and an entrepreneurial spirit.

“Our research demonstrates that a construction apprenticeship is the perfect springboard for a successful and rewarding career, with more than half of construction SMEs being run by people who started out as an apprentice.

“Of those who went on to start their own businesses, more than one in two reached that goal within a mere seven years of completing their apprenticeship training, showing that you can go from being a brickie to a business owner in no time at all.”

The FMB found that, by the age of 23, a bricklayer with five years’ experience can earn up to £31,000, rising to £52,000 in London.

Brian added: “Given the high levels of university tuition fees, young people have every reason to properly consider a more vocational education and pursuing a career in construction looks an increasingly shrewd move.”