Listings - Construction

Construction

So, what's it all about?

Let's head back into the past, shall we? The world was a very different place – your local shops were maybe grassland. Your home might now be standing on the site of a clearing in the woods. And the swimming pool down the road was just a bubbling bog.

But then the construction industry started to develop. Flats flourished; sewage systems spread; flyovers flew up; and the wheels were set in motion for nationwide motorways. This humble little island of ours really began to take off.

And so here we are now – construction is a multi-billion pound industry that deals with developing the underlying structure of anything from a housing estate to the Millau Viaduct, a jaw-droppingly amazing bridge in France that took over three years to complete and weighs a staggering 290,000 tonnes.
But in both examples, the construction processes are fairly similar.

Civil engineers and technicians make sure that the area is safe to build on, prepare estimates and plans, and oversee the whole project. They spend time working with an architect, who puts together a detailed technical plan of how the structure will look.

Then it's the turn of the labourers – groundworkers lay the foundations; scaffolders provide access to the project; builders work to put the structure up; electricians and plumbers wire and lay pipes; and plasterers put the finishing touches to everything.

And that's not the half it – there are a lot of other things to consider. How will the new build affect the surrounding area? Is it really sensible to build a gasworks in a residential area? What if people oppose the build? What needs to be done to make sure that everything is completed on time and to budget? Are your current suppliers giving you a good deal? What is the environmental impact of the build? How can you make sure that it doesn't stand out like a sore thumb? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered before the architect can set pen to paper.

There are a few massive construction companies that operate around the world. If you've always wanted the chance to work overseas, the construction industry is a good one to choose.

It's also one of the most diverse industries out there, both in terms of job roles and projects. And as long as populations keep growing, there's always going to be a need for people to build and develop.

What qualities do I need?

be physically fit
be familiar with construction terms, tools,
methods and materials
have good practical skills
be able to follow written and verbal instructions
be comfortable working at heights
be able to work as part of a team
understand health and safety issues
have good analytical skills
understand engineering drawings
be well-organised
have good communication, presentation and negotiating skills
have commercial awareness

Vital Statistics

Hours: The working week is usually around 40 hours, which can include weekends and unsociable hours.

Environment: Although some roles are office-based, a lot of the work takes place outdoors in all weather. Some roles involve working at a height.

Location: There are jobs available across the world in lots of different sectors. Travel abroad is fairly common.

Apprenticeships in this sector

These are the Apprenticeships currently available in this sector. For more information and for details of the Apprenticeship framework, contact the Sector Skills Council listed after each.

So, what's it all about?

What qualities do I need?

Built-up felt roofing

Civil engineering technician

Crane operative

Demolition operative

Floor covering

General construction

Groundworks

Interior systems, suspended ceiling fixing and partition fixing

Lightning conductor engineering

Plant maintenance

Plant operations

Roof sheeting and cladding

Roof slating and tiling

Scaffolding

Steeplejacking

The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC)

Institution of Civil Engineers

National Federation of Demolition Contractors

Institute of Carpenters (IOC)

National Access and Scaffolding Confederation

Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists

Construction Skills