Working in construction is an exciting prospect, with new and innovative designs for buildings as well as modern-day equipment and techniques at hand. The construction industry offers many levels of jobs in which workers can be a member of a very important team and at the same time make a difference in their communities. There is also great job satisfaction in assisting to build something that will last for many years. Construction in the UK did slow down a bit due to the banking crisis, but the industry did not suffer as badly as it did in some other countries like Spain.
In the UK construction jobs have been supported by major infrastructure projects like Crossrail. These types of projects have continued to offer a wide range of opportunities to skilled and unskilled construction workers alike. In most regions of the UK, a good level of availability has been maintained in this industry. Maybe this is due, in part, to statistics and reports that show the employment situation in general in the UK has been better in relation to some of its European neighbours. The fact that the construction industry made it through the worst of this crisis relatively unscathed is just one benefit for prospective candidates of construction jobs.
Another benefit of the building industry in the UK is its health and safety record, which is one of the best in the world. Workers can be confident in the knowledge that regulations are strict. To make their working environment safe all efforts are in place to guarantee workers can go about doing their jobs without worry. Heavy penalties are imposed on employers who do not follow the regulation in order to ensure the safety of workers and to compensate them well in the case of an accident.
The pay levels in the UK are highly competitive for prospective candidates in construction. In addition to the pay level itself, there are often added benefits and perks that come with UK construction jobs. There are often very attractive all-round employment packages and if you've already been invited to interview, these construction job interview tips will be of use to you.
How can I get into a construction job?
The key then is to understand how to get into construction; there are several different routes to enter the sector. There are jobs available to prospective candidates whether or not they have experience in the industry. There is a range of career opportunities available because there are a wide variety of skills required.
Some of the routes for entering the sector include apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, construction diplomas, technical careers, degree, and professional careers. Generally, the recruitment process for this industry involves the assessment of the skills of the candidate. Any technical skills relating to a construction degree will be analysed, but there is also an important focus on life skills, sometimes referred to as soft skills. Candidates must show a potential employer they have these skills in their CV and cover letter, as well as in interviews that follow. The best way to show this is through examples that demonstrate the use of the skills. The skills to highlight are those that directly apply to the job in question. Skills related to scaffolding jobs would be quite different than those for civil engineering jobs.
Career progression.
A great benefit of entering the construction sector is ample opportunity for career progression. A candidate can often advance from a simple Brick Layer to a Site Supervisor role / Technician to a Construction Manager. While there is no specific criteria for getting a job as a bricklayer, companies will often look for candidates who have had some site experience. The secret to the construction industry is getting a foot in the door of the sector.
A candidate attending school for more advanced degrees in construction can gain the site experience that companies look for while also advancing their education for later progression. Working on a range of projects and sites as a bricklayer is an invaluable experience.
Becoming a site supervisor will require a good standard of GCSE's and A-Levels in order to study at degree level, but it is possible to gain initial entry without a degree, with apprenticeship opportunities or other options that include working in lower positions while taking further study. Once obtaining an HNC or University degree the opportunity to become a construction manager is at hand. This role is one that usually requires significant experience in the industry; that is why it makes such good sense to be working at lower levels in the sector while working towards a degree. When the degree is completed candidates will have both the experience that employers look for as well as the education that is required.
