Job Family: Building and Construction

The construction industry deals with a wide range of work, from everyday things like installing windows, fitting carpets and mending burst pipes, to creating exciting buildings, such as Glasgow's Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, the Eden Project in Cornwall and the 2012 Olympic Stadium.

The industry employs people with a variety of skill levels. They include operatives, skilled craftspeople, technicians and professionals, such as civil engineers and surveyors. They are involved in all aspects of construction, including planning, design, surveying, project management, building and fitting, inspection, renovation, and repair and maintenance.

Many people in construction work around 37 hours a week, but there is often the opportunity to do overtime. Those on major projects may at times have to work very long hours to meet deadlines. Working conditions vary from comfortable offices to dusty, muddy building sites that can be very hot in summer and cold in winter.

Employers throughout the UK range from large national and international construction groups, through medium-sized and small companies to self-employed individuals. The industry employs over 2.5 million people and is growing, needing an average of 87,000 new entrants each year. Currently there is a particular shortage of architects, technical engineers and managers, and of craftspeople in the wood trades, primarily due to the strength of the housing sector. The parts of the UK expected to see most growth in construction employment in the next few years are the east and south east of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Operatives and craftspeople need practical hand skills for using tools and machinery. Technicians and those working at professional level require scientific understanding, as well as ability in IT and maths. Some jobs, such as architect, demand creative skills, and higher level jobs usually call for management ability. People working outdoors on site should be physically fit.

It is possible to enter at almost any level and work through to senior positions using a combination of experience and qualifications acquired along the way. Some jobs do not require entry qualifications. Some need GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), while others require a BTEC/SQA qualification or a degree. Apprenticeships are available in a number of careers in this sector and over 10,000 people enter the industry this way each year.

Training varies between jobs. Some have on-the-job training. A number work towards NVQs/SVQs, often through Apprenticeships, or take BTEC/SQA courses part time while in work. Yet others have to complete a full-time course at university or college before starting work.

Most jobs have the possibility of promotion to a higher level. Work abroad is possible in many areas, as UK construction workers are often employed on overseas projects, eg building roads, dams, airfields and pipelines. Self-employed workers progress by building their reputation and the size of their business.

Why not have a look at other Job Family articles as they may hold information on related jobs.