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Construction

Whether you are starting out in your career, changing jobs or moving from a different sector there are a wide range of roles and opportunities available in construction.

Types of roles

You can start in construction any time from school leaver to later in your career. There are many entry points available including apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships (the equivalent of a first year of a degree) or entry level opportunities where you can learn on the job.

Many big construction companies and consultancies have graduate programmes with set intakes each year. For more information on the different routes into a career in construction, take a look at the ‘What are my options’ section on Go Construct’s (external website) or visit the National Careers Service (external website).

Trades such as bricklaying, tiling and plumbing are still vital and will always be needed. However, there are many more roles to choose from on the Go Construct (external website). Take a look at the National Careers Service (external website) for more information on the different roles available.

As well as house building, there’s commercial building – which covers everything from offices to football stadiums – and infrastructure like roads, bridges, water supply and drainage, electricity supply and more.

Then there’s the logistics of providing these services, as well as opportunities in research and development, human resources and future planning.

To find out what it is really like from people working in the sector, read some case studies on Go Construct’s website.

Benefits of working in construction

  • There is a wide variety of jobs in construction – there are the on-site roles, from general labourer to hands-on trades and crafts like bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing and decorating. And there are other roles including project and site management, planning and engineering.
  • There is currently a skills shortage in construction – this presents a great opportunity for new graduates.
  • Construction is at the cutting-edge of new technologies – including 3D computer modelling, survey drones and new processes to develop improved materials.
  • Increasing diversity and inclusion is important to the construction industry. Find out more about diversity in construction at Go Construct (external website). More and more women are working in construction. Women are doing a full range of jobs from working on site to supervisors and project managers to engineers.

Whether you prefer an active job where you’re out and about, an office-based role that relies more on planning and organisation, or something that combines the two, there’s something to suit your skills and preferences.

Carpenter working with tools at a bench

Desirable skills

There are a range of skills required for roles in construction including communication, problem solving, attention to detail and teamwork.

Learn more about skills for work options.

FURTHER LINKS

Other sectors currently hiring