Last year the construction industry contributed £117 billion to the UK economy. With over 230,000 new jobs expected to be created in the next five years, it has never been a better time to start a career within construction.
Careers in Construction
There are around 2.4 million workers in the country’s construction industry, making it one of the biggest industries in the UK. However, with thousands of new roles created every year, there is a widening skills shortage within its workforce – candidates with the drive and ambition to help bridge this gap are thoroughly needed. With roles available in a wide range of positions, from frontline builders to supporting services and management, fantastic opportunities are out there waiting for you. Here are just some of the careers available:
– Construction Management
Construction Managers are responsible for running the day-to-day activities of a construction site, including ensuring health and safety standards are adhered to, and projects are completed within the required timeframe and budget. For a role like this, you’ll need strong leadership skills and the ability to communicate clearly with both staff and clients.
– Architect
If you have an architectural degree, there are numerous career opportunities throughout the building industry. You can use your visual, planning and technical skills to start a creative, design-based career as an architect or urban designer, along with related roles such as CAD Technician and Fire Risk Assessor.
– Civil Engineer
If you want to use your degree to help design and maintain construction projects from bridges to sports stadiums, a career in Civil Engineering could be for you. Job roles typically require a degree or HNC in Construction and the Built Environment, good knowledge of engineering science and an excellent grasp of maths. You can also join the Institute of Civil Engineers for further development opportunities.
– Surveyor
A degree or postgraduate qualification accredited by the Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors (RICS) is required if you want to start a career as a Surveyor, and you can provide technical advice to construction and property professionals in building, quantity, rural and other types of clients.
– Building Inspector
Building inspectors are required to verify that construction guidelines are being followed. Graduates with a degree in construction or surveying can use their knowledge of building regulations and their keen eye for detail it to start a career within this sector.
Industrial Placements and Internships
Many undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications provide the opportunity to experience work within the sector, usually named ‘sandwich-year’ placements or internships. Numerous employers sign up to offer the chance to gain real-life knowledge of various job roles within the industry, from civil engineering to architecture.
Alternatively, you can apply for a summer placement with a building or construction company, giving you the chance to develop professional contacts within the industry, enhancing your future career prospects.
Graduate Schemes
Plenty of well-known organisations offer schemes aimed at providing opportunities for newly qualified graduates as a route to work within the construction industry. Here are some you may have heard of:
BAM – Specialising in both public and private construction projects, BAM recruit graduates yearly for a wide variety of positions within the industry, from quantity surveying to construction management.
Barratt Homes – As one of the UK largest house building companies, Barratt offers a construction programme aimed at graduates with a degree specialising in the built environment. This programme provides the opportunity to gain an insight into the business whilst studying additional qualifications.
Interserve – Interserve recruits practical and creative graduates every year and supports them in achieving charted status in a related professional institution. They offer routes in project and site management and quantity surveying disciplines.
