Construction Jobs

The construction business is booming! Construction in the UK shows no sign of slowing down - and British architecture is still respected around the world. The tax company KPMG and the Construction Skills Network both forecast that demand for construction in the UK will increase significantly over the next five years.

The construction industry is one of the UK’s largest employers. Today, almost 2 million people work in construction in the UK and by 2010, the industry plans to employ around 2.8 million workers. The construction industry has also become much more diverse – targeting and hiring more women and minorities.

The Construction Skills Network predicts that, in addition to the routine repair and maintenance work and general construction projects already in existence, there are also more than 7,500 new projects being planned from 2007 until the end of 2012. These projects have a total value of nearly 190 billion pounds and include privately funded developments as well as public ones.
There are several different types of construction jobs. Possible areas of specialisation range from project manager, engineer and construction manager to sales manager and accountant. There also seems to be an ongoing shortage of quantity surveyors – those qualified in this field generally find it easy to get a well paid job.

A job in construction involves teamwork, often necessitates working outdoors and you have the satisfaction of seeing a project through to its completion. It’s also fairly easy to train for a career in construction – there are many opportunities through sponsorship, apprenticeship schemes and job placements.

There are disadvantages to construction work. Contrary to popular belief, many jobs aren’t that well paid – although recently qualified workers can expect to earn from between 10 to 12 pounds an hour, while more experienced construction workers can expect rates which range from between 13 to 17 pounds an hour.

Construction work is also largely seasonal – construction jobs are usually easier to find during the warmer spring and summer months. Many construction projects just last a short time or are dependent upon financing. And the most lucrative construction jobs tend to be highly sought after.

You may not have considered construction as a career – but this thriving and exciting industry offers diversity, job satisfaction and the chance to participate in creating something memorable.