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Careers In Construction

The construction industry has many different career options.  If you need help to find a career that matches your unique skill set, please find below links to useful resources.

The construction industry offers lots of variety with small to large scale projects involving the construction of anything from foot paths to whole towns and cities.

All projects go through planning, designing, building and maintainence phases which may involve several different companies specialised in all different trades.

The industry employes over 2.7 million people in 2018 and has become one of the UK’s largest employers.

Go Construct

Click the above link to visit the Go Construct website, that showcases the many career opportunities available in construction and the built environment.  It is funded by the CITB levy and led by the industry.

Try using the Go Construct  A-Z of Careers to do some research and we have include a few examples below.

If you are not sure what role would suit you best? The personality quiz is a good place to start.

Civil Engineer

Job Role: Civil engineers plan, design and manage large construction projects. This could include bridges, buildings, transport links and other major structures. They use computer modelling software and data from surveys, tests and maps to create project blueprints. These plans advise contractors on the best course of action and help minimise environmental impact and risk.

Salary: Fully trained Civil Engineers can earn up to £60,000

Construction Manager

Job Role:  Construction Project managers co-ordinate and oversee development projects both onsite and in an administrative capacity. They work with planners and architects to estimate the cost of projects and amounts of materials required, plan the scheduling and construction procedures that will be undertaken and liaise with subcontractors to ensure projects run on time and to budget.

Salary: Fully trained project managers earn up to £60,000

Carpenter

Job Role: Carpenters are skilled manual workers who build and install structures made out of wood, wood-substitutes and other strong materials. As a carpenter you may be asked to work inside or outside on Construction sites, erecting the supporting frames for buildings, installing doors, ceilings, staricases and cabinets.

Salary: Fully trained Carpentaers can earn up to £30,000

Quantity Surveyor

Job Role: Quantity surveyors are responsible for managingall aspects of the contractual and financial side of construction projects. Surveyors work out exactly how much a building will cost to construct. They also calculate the amount of building materials that are required and are responsible for the finances of the project.

Salary: Newly trained Quantity Surveyors can earn in the region of £22,000 – £37,000. Senior or Chartered Quantity Surveyors can earn between £42,000 and £66,000

Architect

Job Role:  Architects design all kinds of buildings by drawing detailed plans or sometimes creating carboard or plastic models. They create detailed drawings for contractors that must contain exact measurements and building materials needed. As an architect you will working on all stages of the project carrying out inspection to make sure it meet requirements.

Salary: A Architect’s assistant or trainee could earn between £18,00 and £30,000. A Senior or Chartered Architect can earn in the region of £50,000 and £100,00

Estimator

Job Role: An estimator, also known as a cost planner or cost engineer, is responsible for calculating how much it will cost a supplier to provide a client with products or building work. They can be reponsible for drawing up bids for work, collecting quotes from suppliers and sub-contractors and keeping project costs in line with it’s budget.

Salary: Newly trained Estimators can earn between £18,000 and £20,000. Senior, chartered or Master Estimators can earn in the region of £35,000 – £40,000.

More Resources – just click on the headings.
The CITB &  Partners – Onsite Experience Hubs

To help people  get ready to work on construction sites all over England and Wales.   It is recognised that there’s a big need for folks who are ready to work in construction, but not enough of them.

This is a special training programme by the CITB and their partners will teach you the skills, knowledge, and good behaviours you need to be ready for work on a construction site.

If you are based in Norfolk or Suffolk – please find the flyer CITB OSE Candidate Information (click here) that provides the full information and who to contact to find out more.

I Can Be A…

Icanbea – is a free careers inspiration tool, who’s focus is to help 12 – 25 year olds in Norfolk and Suffolk.   Providing tools such as CV builder, careers wizard and job ideas database to help you pick a career path.

Find a job or career in Norfolk or Suffolk based on your specific interests!

Target Careers


TARGETcareers is here to help school leavers make decisions about their future. Explore options for careers, university or apprenticeships and get help applying successfully.

Talentview Construction

Talentview Construction is your launch pad for an amazing career in the construction industry. It’s a fascinating industry to work in because it is so incredibly varied.

Mythbuster
Myth – Construction jobs are just for boys!

Buster – According to www.constructionnews.co.uk  as of April 2023 the construction workforce was 15.8 per cent female in April to June 2023, accounting for 340,000 women.

According to this Go Construct article ‘Women working in construction and engineering is on the increase with 37% of new entrants in to the industry that came from higher education are women.

Myth – Working in construction means doing a practical job, working outside.

Buster – There is a wide variety of career options in construction with a range of different working environments, that include ‘live’ construction sites, offices, workshops and some people may even work from home too.

Myth – I did well at school and university, construction is not for me!

Buster – The range of careers within the construction industry means that whatever your education level is,  there is plenty of opportunity.

If you are educated to degree level then check out what opportunities there are for you by  visiting the  Go Construct University Page and watch their informative video .

Apprenticeship Vs. University

Degree Apprenticeships