Top 10 careers in construction and the skills employers are looking for
The construction industry offers a broad range of career options to job seekers, but how do you narrow it down and find a job that suits you?
The UK construction sector continues to face a significant shortfall in skilled workers. This has created a huge demand for construction professionals across all areas. There’s an undeniable benefit to pursuing a pathway in these areas, as demand for well-trained workers means that roles in these areas often offer job security and good levels of pay.
But where should you start? And what do these roles really entail? We’ve put together a list of 10 varied careers in construction that offer exciting employment opportunities.
Architect
Architects transform a client’s vision into a buildable reality, leading on both the creative and technical aspects of building design. They design new buildings as well as the spaces that surround them, and can also take on projects involving the restoration and conservation of existing structures.
To do this role, you’ll need knowledge of design, building and construction as well as strong analytical and reasoning skills. In addition to creativity and initiative, architects need a strong eye for detail, good communication and customer service skills and the ability to learn and use new software to complete their work.
Architecture courses:
Bricklayer
A Bricklayer is responsible for constructing, repairing, and restoring brickwork structures, which are often the fundamental fabric of many buildings.
The role includes meticulous tasks such as measuring and setting out work areas, mixing and laying mortar, cutting and shaping bricks using specialist tools, and checking that rows of bricks are level. Bricklayers often have to manage the quantities of materials for a project and ensure the quality and precision of their work. They work primarily outdoors on construction sites, often at height on scaffolding, and collaborate closely with other construction workers. Their expertise is essential for both new builds and the maintenance of existing structures.
Bricklayers need knowledge of building and construction regulations and practices and they also must be physically fit. Attention to detail, teamworking skills, time management and the ability to keep a cool head in stressful situations are also important in this role. If you’re looking for a deeper dive into this career, you can find out more in our blog about How to become a bricklayer in the UK.
Bricklayer courses:
- Brickwork – Level 1 Diploma
- Bricklaying – Level 2 Diploma
- Construction Skills – Level 1 Diploma
- Construction Skills – Level 1 Extended Certificate
Carpenter
Carpenters design and build all sorts of wooden structures, from furniture to frames for roads and bridges. It’s a role that requires you to be good with a range of tools, be able to solve problems and have good attention to detail.
Carpenters use technical plans to cut and shape materials before putting them together to construct and fit different structures. Employers often look for qualifications, and there are a number of carpentry courses available, with some training providers offering apprenticeships. Keen to know more? You can find out more in our blog about How to become a carpenter in the UK.
Carpentry courses:
- Carpentry and Joinery – Level 1 Diploma
- Carpentry – Level 2 Diploma
- Construction Skills – Level 1 Diploma
- Construction Skills – Level 1 Extended Certificate
Civil Engineer or Site Engineer
Civil engineers are responsible for designing and building most of the physical infrastructure you see around you. They plan, design and supervise the construction of things we use every day such as roads, bridges, railways and tunnels as well as larger structures like dams. Using their technical skills and ability to analyse these structures, they ensure that they are fit for purpose and comply with the necessary regulations.
If you prefer being on site and getting involved with how things go up, then you could also look at becoming a site engineer. This role provides a technical link between the design and its execution, and a site engineer is the person in charge of setting out the project, performing quality checks and ensuring that the project sticks closely to the plans and specifications as it develops.
Engineering courses:
- Engineering – Level 1 Diploma
- Engineering – Level 2 Diploma
- Engineering – Level 2 First Extended Certificate
- Performing Engineering Operations – Level 2 NVQ Diploma
- Rail Engineering Track Maintenance PTS – Level 2 NVQ Certificate
- Engineering – Level 3 Diploma
- Engineering – Level 3 Extended Diploma
- Engineering – Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma
- Engineering – Level 3 National Foundation Diploma
- Engineering – T Level
- Engineering – Level 4 Higher National Certificate
- Engineering Systems – Foundation Year (City St George’s)
- Civil and Infrastructure Engineering – Foundation Year (City St Georges)
- Mechanical and Design Engineering – Foundation Year (City St Georges)
Construction Manager
The Construction Manager is the person who manages the practical side of a building project. They work alongside architects, surveyors and other professionals to ensure the safe delivery of the final product. They’ll be involved in much of the planning and recruitment for the project and will then oversee operations on site. The construction manager ensures that elements of the project are delivered on time by managing progress by making sure that the different parties involved are following the agreed plan. They communicate with any other consultants, planners or surveyors involved in the build and deliver regular reports to their client. If you’re good at problem solving, managing people and can stay calm under pressure, this could be a role for you. Find out more here.
Relevant courses:
Domestic Retrofit Assessor/Advisor
If you’re looking for a green career that helps people make the most of their existing resources, then working as a domestic retrofit advisor could be right for you. This role involves using specialist knowledge to analyse existing energy systems so that you can provide suggestions for measures to increase efficiency. You’ll need a good understanding of building physics as well as technical knowledge of how heating and ventilation systems operate. This will often be a client-facing role, so you’ll also need to feel confident in presenting your findings and communicating with others.
Domestic Retrofit courses:
- Green Skills, Sustainability and Careers – Introduction (Green Skills Academy)
- Understanding Domestic Retrofit – Level 2 Award (Green Skills Academy)
- Solar Energy – Introduction (Green Skills Academy)
Electrician
The electrical industry in the UK continues to offer plenty of opportunities for qualified electricians. They support the development and maintenance of systems and buildings that we use every day, from installing new electrical systems to repairing existing ones – our world would stand still without skilled electricians on call.
If you’re good at analysing problems and looking for solutions, this could be an exciting career path for you. You may work independently in homes or offices, deciphering plans and using specialised tools to complete your work, or you could end up collaborating with clients or builders on larger projects. Want to know more? Read our blog about How to become an electrician.
Electrical courses:
- Electrical Installation – Level 1 Diploma
- Electrical Installation – Level 2 Diploma
- Electrical Installations – Level 2 Diploma
Health and Safety Officer
With so many moving parts making up any construction project, the role of the health and safety officer is an essential one. The main aim of this role is to keep people safe by ensuring that employers and their staff follow safety policies, rules and regulations. It’s a role that combines technical knowledge with people skills, as you work to assess sites and analyse risks while also collaborating with others to ensure that risks are minimised through specific policies and procedures. Whether you’re dealing with the safe installation of new equipment or the disposal of hazardous substances, the health and safety officer is responsible for ensuring that the correct training is given and that working practices are safe on a project site.
Relevant courses:
Health and Social Care – Level 1 Introductory Certificate
Health and Social Care – Level 1 Diploma
Health and Social Care – Level 2 National Extended Diploma
Plumber
Plumbers continue to be in demand in the UK as they are vital to the smooth running of homes and businesses. Being a plumber is a varied and rewarding career, with good options for diversifying or progressing in your career. In addition to good knowledge of buildings and construction, plumbers need manual dexterity and the ability to see a problem and figure out a viable solution. Whether you’re fixing heating systems in someone’s home or installing complex pipework across a larger site, you’ll need a good understanding of safety precautions and regulations and the ability to follow them. If you haven’t already checked it out, take a look at our blog on How to become a plumber in the UK.
Plumbing courses:
Quantity surveyor
A quantity surveyor is the person in charge of the costs involved in a commercial, industrial or residential construction project, and their main aim is to make sure that a project is profitable. They prepare estimates for materials, equipment and labour from the initial stages onwards, manage tenders and contacts and keep track of any changes along the way that could impact spending. As a quantity surveyor, you’ll need to be comfortable crunching numbers, managing projects and communicating your work and findings with others. Find out more about becoming a quantity surveyor here.
Relevant courses:
The UK construction industry is built on skills, and there are many opportunities for professionals to branch out and upskill as they develop their career.
If there’s a role in construction that you like the look of, why not take a look at our Construction and Plumbing Courses to help you work out your next step.
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