Why you should consider a career in construction

If you crave a career that offers the opportunity for growth, provides job security, learn new skills, and allows you to work with your hands, then a career in construction could be for you. Whether you have just finished studying, or you want to change career paths, a job in construction offers a stable career where you can earn good money. Construction work can be both rewarding and satisfying, so if working in this exciting industry sounds like it could be for you, keep reading to find out more.

What are the different types of construction careers?

The construction sector is huge and full of an abundance of sub-sectors and different roles, so there is something to suit anyone with an interest in construction. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular jobs in construction:

• Trades and crafts: typically, this is what most people think of when they picture a job in construction. Trades and crafts include carpenters, bricklayers, labourers, plasterers, plumbers, painting and decorating, scaffolding, wall and floor work, electrical work, repair person services, and more.
• Architects design the structure of buildings.
• Landscape architects design and create public areas in towns, cities and the countryside, such as shopping centres, parks, and other new building projects.
• Architectural technicians are often referred to as the glue between the crative vision of the architects and the practical realities of construction. They can offer architects technical support, and ensure the designs comply with building codes, regulations, and standards.
• Quantity surveyors help construction projects to make a profit. They can act as financial estimators and advise on contractual matters relating to construction projects.
• Building surveyors assess the quality of buildings, from houses to public and commercial properties. They examine the condition of buildings and advise on ways to improve them.
• Renovation specialists excel when it comes to restoration projects, whether it be the repair of buildings, or parts of them like roofing or chimneys, or to repair machinery.
• Land surveyors determine the exact location of property lines and corners, essential for legal and construction purposes on a building site.
• Building services engineers design, install and maintain cost-effective and energy-efficient systems for building services, like water, lighting, insulation, central heating systems, air conditioning, accessibility, and communications.
• Civil engineers plan, design and manage large construction projects. Civil engineering can include anything from housing developments to transport links.
• Geotechnical engineers focus solely on investigating the impact that geological formations may have on construction projects. They examine the formation of the earth beneath and around construction projects.
• Structural engineers are similar to civil engineers but focus namely on the design and construction of load-bearing structures. They work on the analysis, design, construction and maintenance of structures such as bridges, towers, power lines, and buildings.
• Ventilation engineers play a crucial role in tensuring the health, safety, and comfort of occupants in the building. Their primary responsibility is to design and implement ventilation systems that provide adequate airflow and quality.
• Site managers oversee projects and teams on a construction site, acting like site inspectors. They make sure that the building work is finished on time, within budget and to a high standard.

How do I get a job in the construction industry?

If you are wondering how to enter the construction industry, whether you want to be a crane driver, quarry worker, civil engineer, or any of the other great roles listed above, you’ll be pleased to know there is no single route in. No matter where you are in your personal career journey, there are steps you can take to enter the construction sector.

Starting a role in construction

Take a look at the types of roles we have outlined above that interest you and find out whether you need particular qualifications in order to start working in those areas. You could consider completing some relevant training to help you apply, or going down the apprenticeship route so that you can learn on the job.

Qualifications for construction jobs

Irrespective of the qualifications you have, there’s a career in construction for everyone. Each job role will have different requirements and entry routes, it all depends on which area of construction

There are some entry-level roles that don’t require any qualifications at all, whilst there are others that you may need to have completed a relevant course, degree or apprenticeship in to be able to apply.

What skills are construction employers looking for?

No matter what role in construction you are looking to step into, there are some core skills and values that construction employers look for and appreciate in a candidate, aside from the qualifications and industry knowledge on your CV. These include:

• Good teamwork
• Self-management
• Motivation
• Hard work and resilience
• Understanding the needs of the community
• A positive attitude
• Strong communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Basic maths, language, and writing skills
• Being eager to learn

Helping people to find roles in construction, engineering, and more

If you’re looking for your next profession, whether it’s a temporary, fixed-term, or permanent position, or if you require skilled, experienced, and reliable operatives, PPR Recruitment is your one-stop solution. View our current vacancies here. If you’re interested in being a recruitment agent for PPR, give one of our knowledgeable and friendly recruitment experts a call on 01895 808188for further information. Alternatively, contact us online or send an email to info@ppronline.co.uk