A look at construction jobs

Construction jobs are practical and dynamic, with good benefits and lots of opportunities to advance.

It is a diverse sector with many different job roles – from building roads and railways to specialising in a trade like bricklaying or building maintenance.

What type of construction?

There are many different types of construction, which means there is a lot of variety in the type of construction role you might do:

Building construction

Working in this area of construction means you will be on-site during and after new buildings are created. These buildings could be residential homes or commercial spaces like shops and offices. Your typical duties will include building, repair, additions and alterations.  

Civil engineering

Civil engineering jobs support building and maintaining roads, bridges, railways and utility systems. Your typical duties will include troubleshooting and problem-solving, repair, maintaining old systems and building new ones.

Specialised construction

There are many specialised areas of construction, including demolition, electrics, plumbing, joinery, plastering, painting and glazing. Your duties will change depending on the area you are working in, as each requires unique skills, knowledge and equipment.

What are the different construction jobs? 

From craft roles to technical positions, there are many different types of job in the construction sector:

Bricklayer

You will lay bricks, blocks and pre-cut stone to create or repair walls and other structures. You will also need to work well as part of a team, have good attention to detail and use hand-eye coordination skills.

Building technician

As a building technician, you will help with the designing and planning of buildings. This includes checking the quality of materials and suppliers, managing budgets and making sure deadlines are met.

You will need to think analytically and pay close attention to detail.

General construction operative

If you are unsure what sort of role you want, you could get started as a general construction operative. You will have many different duties, including preparing ground, loading materials and using tools and equipment.

This role also needs a good level of physical fitness and the ability to follow instructions.

What skills do you need to work in construction?

Good communication – you will usually work as part of a team

Be physically fit – construction jobs often involve heavy lifting and physical activity

Attention to detail – you will need to be thorough and accurate when completing tasks

Problem-solving skills – construction work is unpredictable, so you will need to resolve problems quickly

Knowledge of health and safety – construction sites can be dangerous, so you will need to have a basic understanding of health and safety guidelines.