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Construction

Staffordshire and construction

  • The construction sector is one of the largest local employers with approximately 42,000 jobs across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.
     
  • With the economy improving, it is expected that employment in this sector will continue to grow until 2025.
     
  • Although traditionally most workers were men, almost 200,000 women now work in construction. With increasing expansion, the construction sector is actively looking to recruit women.
     
  • Many local construction businesses offer apprenticeships.
     
  • The most frequent recruitment difficulties are for labourers and general operatives, wood trades and other skilled trades.
     
  • The UK’s ageing demographic profile suggests that special action will be needed to maintain sufficient numbers of new recruits into the industry. Training at all levels in the industry will be needed to meet future skills requirements.
     
  • Examples of large local construction companies include Carillion, Seddon, Kier, Enterprise, Amey UK, Homeserve and Balfour Beatty.

The UK picture

Construction is one of the largest employment sectors in the UK.

It is dominated by skilled trades with managers and senior officials also making up a significant proportion of the workforce.

If your child is imaginative and enjoys design and technology, the construction sector offers lots of opportunities to get involved in design. If they enjoy problem solving and work that requires attention to detail, and are happy working outdoors in all weathers, able to accept instructions and work under supervision then a career in the construction sector could be for them.

Qualifications and routes

There are many ways to get in to the construction industry. A combination of learning and experience is the best way for your child to increase their knowledge and build their confidence within the sector.

Routes include:

When looking for a career in construction and the built environment the type of job your child is looking for can determine the qualification pathway they choose.

To find out more specific information about the qualifications needed in this sector visit the Sector Skills Council’s website at:

General skills needed to get a job in construction

Employers want people who are:

  • reliable
  • flexible
  • follow plans
  • organised
  • team players
  • calm under pressure
  • health and safety concious

Types of jobs in this sector

Click on the links below to see the National Careers Services job profile with details of what’s involved, hours, salary, and entry requirements or search at National Careers Service

Architect

Engineering construction technician

Refrigeration and air conditioning engineer

Architectural technician or technologist

Estimator

Road worker

Bricklayer

Facilities manager

Roofer

Builders' merchant

Fence installer

Rural surveyor

Building control officer

Gas network engineer

Scaffolder

Building surveyor

Gas service technician

Sheet metal worker

Building technician

General practice surveyor

Shopfitter

Carpenter or joiner

Glazier

Steel erector

Carpet fitter-floor layer

Heating and ventilation engineer

Steel fixer

Cavity insulation installer

Kitchen and bathroom fitter

Steeplejack or lightning conductor engineer

Ceiling fixer

Land and property valuer and auctioneer

Stonemason

Civil engineer

Landscaper

Structural engineer

Civil engineering technician

Land surveyor

Technical surveyor

Clerk of works

Leakage operative

Thatcher

Commercial energy assessor

Marine craftsperson

Thermal insulation engineer

Construction contracts manager

Mechanical engineering technician

Tiler

Construction manager

Minerals surveyor

Tower crane operator

Construction operative

Painter and decorator

Town planner

Construction plant mechanic

Paint sprayer

Town planning support staff

Construction plant operator

Planning and development surveyor

Water network operative

Demolition operative

Plasterer

Welder

Domestic energy assessor

Plumber

Window fitter

Dry liner

Project manager

Wood machinist

Electrician

Quantity surveyor

 

Electricity distribution worker

Quarry engineer

 

Engineering construction craftworker

Quarry operative

 

Further information

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