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Roles

There are many different roles in the world of construction ranging from craft roles, technical roles and professional roles. You can find out more information about some of these different roles in this section.
You can also check out the full list of roles on the GoConstruct website here.

Professional Roles

Professional

Construction offers a number of opportunities in this area. A lot of this type of work takes place before a project even gets to the physical building stage. Creative people, financial experts and legal professionals all play a part in getting a project off the ground. Once the construction work begins, construction managers, engineers and surveyors organise all the people working on the site to ensure that what is built matches the original designs.

This type of career in consruction is work that requires special education.
A professional is a member of a body of people in a learned occupation. You can choose from a variety of professional careers in construction and these include

Architecture
Engineering
landscape Architecture
Urban Design
Surveying

Technical Occupations - the Construction Team

A career in technical support can be exciting and varied. It covers a broad range of disciplines and is an important part of the construction team by supporting the work of engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, etc. They have to use practical knowledge, but do not necessarily carry out manual tasks. Technical jobs in the sector range from estimator, buyer, building technician, civil engineering technician, plant technician, site inspector and design technician.

Craft Roles

Careers in construction craft roles suit people who are practical and are willing to work in a team. Craftspeople can also move into professional and technician roles.
Jobs in the industry range from: bench joiner, wood machinist, built up felt roofer, mastic asphalter, bricklayer, stonemason, dry liner, glazier, renderer, plant operator, demolition

Entry and progression

Most people enter craft careers through apprenticeships; although other types of training schemes are available. A construction apprenticeship is usually a two year programme to NVQ Level 2, then a further one year advanced programme to achieve NVQ Level 3. Most craft occupations have an NVQ available at both levels 2 and 3. These qualifications are achieved by assessment onsite combined with some college‐based training.

There are opportunities to progress in the construction sector and many people start their own companies. Career paths in the sector tend to be varied as people train and begin to specialise.

Many adults will find themselves being able to transfer the skills and knowledge they have gained in another field into the craft sector.