General Construction Jobs
- Which occupations are discussed in this section?
- What is the outlook for those looking to find a construction job in the UK?
- Where can construction jobs be found in the UK?
- What type of employment is available for construction jobs in the UK?
- Who employs people for construction jobs in the UK?
- What qualifications do you need to work in a construction job in the UK?
- What other experience is advantageous?
- How much can you expect to earn for a construction job in the UK?
- What is the best way to get a construction job in the UK?
- How should you prepare your CV for the UK?
Which occupations are discussed in this section?
This section of the website deals with a range of construction jobs which - for the purposes of working in the UK — all require the same general information. The information provided here is applicable to:
- Bricklaying jobs in the UK
- Carpenter jobs in the UK / Joiner jobs in the UK
- Plasterer jobs in the UK
- Ceiling Fixer jobs in the UK
- Steel Fixer jobs in the UK
Apply to Jobs before you arrive or Register with Agencies up to 6 months before you arrive.
Construction Engineers and Qualified Professionals like Quantity Surveyors and Construction Managers see our other section.
What is the outlook for those looking to find a construction job in the UK?
The UK's construction industry is in a very healthy state and the outlook for anyone wanting to find a construction job is very good. It is estimated that the industry will need 88 000 new recruits every year for the next 5 years.
Fuelled by a strong economy and the demands of an expanding population, there is a constant need to maintain old and develop new infrastructure within the UK. And, of course, there is also the incredibly large task of preparing for the 2012 Olympic games in London.
This means that there are a great variety of construction projects being undertaken across the UK and a great variety of jobs in the conbstruction idustry which need to be filled.
Carpenter and joiner jobs in the UK are very common — there is a particularly strong demand for 'Chippies' (carpenters who specialise in formwork for concrete).
Where can construction jobs be found in the UK?
Jobs in the construction indusrty are available UK–wide, though the majority exist in large towns and cities.
The biggest example of this is in London. The size of the city and the enormous demands placed on its infrastructure ensures that there is huge demand for workers within the construction industry.
Areas just outside of London also have a strong demand for construction workers. Within the wider area of South East England, construction jobs may be found in such places as:
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Other areas throughout the UK which you might consider, include:
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Tip: If you have a particular desire to live and work in a specific UK location, then make this intention clear to your recruitment agent from the outset.
What type of employment is available for construction jobs in the UK?
As a rule, employment within the construction industry is in a contract capacity. Workers will generally be paid on an hourly basis.
Part time construction jobs in the UK can give you the flexibility to split your time between work and travel.
Who employs people for construction jobs in the UK?
There are a whole range of private sector companies involved in the construction industry and a good chance that you could end up working for any and all of them. Obviously, individual building contractors and major civil contractors are a large source of employment.
As a construction industry UK subcontractor, you will also find that labour or recruitment agencies can provide you with a great deal of work, for example, carpenter subcontractor jobs.
What qualifications do you need to work in a construction job in the UK?
You do not strictly require formal qualifications to find a job in the construction industry in the UK, however you will find having them advantageous.
The UK has an extensive set of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) which provide the theoretical background to many trades and vocations. In Scotland, these are known as Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). S/NVQs are completed in line with aprenterships and contain 5 levels:
- Level 1: equivalent to a site operative or labourer
- Level 2: craftsperson
- Level 3: advanced craftsperson
- Level 4: manager / professional
- Level 5: senior manager
Being able to prove that you meet a certain level of certification is becoming increasingly important in the UK and is now a prerequisite to working on many construction sites. Also, construction industry occupational, health and safety training is becoming much more common. To this end, a number of certification schemes have been developed to provide all construction site workers with an official photo ID card which provides proof of their level of qualification.
While it is not currently a legal requirement to belong to a certification scheme, it may certainly be seen as advantageous to your employment prospects. There are a number of different certification schemes for different occupations.
Bricklayers, carpenters / joiners, plasterers, ceiling fixers and steel fixers all require an application for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card (known as CSR in Northern Ireland). The CSCS Card is available in various colours which signify your level of qualification:
- Red — for trainees working toward a certified status.
- Green — for opperatives with basic skills who have achieved their level 1 S/NVQs (or an equivalent overseas qualification).
- Blue — for experienced workers with a number of years on–site experience but who do not have formal qualifications.
- Gold — for skilled workers who have achieved their level 3 S/NVQs (or an equivalent overseas qualification).
Further levels are available for supervisory and management roles.
The CSCS Card is valid for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The cost of the application is £25. As part of the application for this card you will need to have your overseas qualifications verified and you will need to pass a UK Health and Safety assessment (at an additional cost of £17.50).
For more information on having your overseas qualifications recognised, call ConstructionSkills on +44 (0)870 417 8777. The standard method of having certifications verified is through the independent company UK NARIC. The cost of a letter of comparability (online) is £39.95. For more information, UK NARIC may be contacted on (t) +44 (0)871 330 7033, (f) +44 (0)871330 7005, or (e) info@naric.org.uk.
What other experience is advantageous?
Construction jobs are available for workers of all experience levels though, esentially, the more experience you have the better. As a general rule, having 2 + years experience should be sufficient.
Having detailed information regarding your previous experience, such as the size and scope of projects you have been involved in, will be extremely useful in helping you find work. You should also ensure that you have an acurate and up to date list of referees.
How much can you expect to earn for a construction job in the UK?
The amount of money you can earn from a UK construction job varies from job to job and will be effected by a number of factors but the following table can be used as a guide:
| Qualified (2 years+ experience) | Experienced (5 years+ experience) | |
| Bricklaying jobs UK | £16 — £23 K per annum | Up to £30 K per annum |
| Carpenter jobs UK / Joiner jobs UK | £17 — £23 K per annum | Up to 28 K per annum |
| Plasterer jobs UK | £17.5 — £22 K per annum or £7–£9 per hour | Up to 26 K per annum |
| Ceiling fixer jobs UK | £16 — £20 K per annum or £7–£9 per hour | Up to 28 K per annum |
| Steel fixer jobs UK | £17 — £22 K per annum or £7–£9 per hour | Up to 27 K per annum |
Opportunities for overtime are generally very good.
Construction jobs based in London almost always pay more than those based in other parts of the UK. This is due to the associated costs of living in London, as well as the fact that many larger (and richer) companies and many of the bigger and more expensive projects are based in London.
Other factors which will effect your pay packet include:
- The size of the organisation you work for.
- The amount of responsibility you have in your role.
- The amount of previous experience you possess.
You may also need to gain UK experience before you begin to earn premium amounts.
What is the best way to get a job in the construction industry in the UK?
There are plenty of jobs in the UK for experienced candidates but finding the right job can be a daunting task. Whether you are applying for a specific job or simply looking for anything which matches your skills and experience, your first point of contact will probably be a recruitment agency.
Recruitment agencies are heavily involved in the UK job market - it is their business to find quality candidates for employers while simultaneously helping candidates to develop and progress their careers.
WORKgateways manages a network of the best building, trades and labour recruiters to help you reach your potential.
Register with recruitment agencies up to 2 weeks before your arrival in the UK. Your recruitment consultant will then begin the process of finding you a suitable position, giving you a great head start to your working life in the UK.
If your travel plans or arrival date changes, make sure you inform your recruitment consultant immediately.
Learn how to get the most out of your WORKgateways UK job search in our FAQs.
How should you prepare your CV for the UK?
Your CV for the UK should be short - no more than 3 pages. Recruiters and employers see hundreds of CVs at a time, so it's important to make sure that the important information on your CV is obvious.
Your CV should include a list of the projects you have worked on, including specific details on your personal requirements and responisbilities.
Be sure to list your experience in reverse-chronological order (i.e. most recent experience first).
Use lists and bullet points to enable the reader to quickly scan and understand your experience and abilities.
Construction Worker Resume Sample
| Mar 2006 — Present | North London Plasterer Plasterer |
| Projects: |
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| Responsibilities |
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