Helping you find a career in the construction industry
Construction is the industry that builds the physical world around us, making sure our public and private spaces are safe and fit for use. Those working in this sector are primarily responsible for the creation of buildings, but also of structures such as walls, bridges and anything else that requires precision planning in its construction.
Working closely with the property sector and with engineers, those working in construction plan, manage, facilitate and ultimately deliver on building projects. Clients might include the government, commercial entities, individuals or local services such as schools or hospitals.
Most of those working in construction work in SMEs (small/medium sized enterprises), meaning you're likely to work in a close-knit team and see the real impact of your work if you choose to go into this area.
Types of jobs within construction
Construction covers a large area, from managing the initial construction of a building from the ground to fitting its interiors once it is almost ready to function.
Here's the outline of just a few of the jobs that are available in the sector:
Construction manager - Working alongside architects and engineers from the very beginning of a project, going over plans and blueprints, making timetables, choosing materials, calculating staff costs, hiring contractors and scheduling work, amongst other tasks
Construction operative - Assisting in all tasks on the building site, working alongside highly skilled construction workers
Construction plant mechanic - Maintaining the equipment used on building or construction sites, including vehicles
Construction plant operator - The construction workers that use large machinery, such as diggers and cranes, to complete on-site jobs
Demolition operative - Responsible for taking apart a building in preparation for demolition, so removing fittings, stripping roofs, and so on
Structural engineer - Responsible for construction planning on new buildings and bridges, and for making alterations to existing buildings
Shopfitter - Working alongside various tradespeople to create the interiors for shops, offices and other commercial or public service buildings
Clerk of works - Inspecting various goings-on on a construction site, including making sure tasks are following the brief and that the correct materials are being used
Construction worker - Responsible for physical labour on construction sites
Excavator operative - Responsible for maintaining and performing safety checks on heavy duty equipment on-site
Contracts manager - Negotiating and managing contracts for staff and materials
Construction project manager - Working on every aspect of the construction process, managing multiple different aspects of the project