Construction
What is the Construction Sector? Construction is the sector involving the design, building, and maintenance of housing, workplaces, and infrastructure like roads and railways.
Workplace trends
Average annual salary
£32,500 Percentage of GM workforce working in this sector
• Skilled tradespeople and labour are in high demand across the city region.
• The sector sees high levels of self-employment – around 30% in GM.
• Construction will play a key role in the switch to netzero. The retrofitting of older buildings along with updates to transport infrastructure are crucial to meeting the challenge set by climate change.
• Employers in the sector often take special steps to attract female and ethnic minority workers to jobs.
Roles that GM employers are currently recruiting for
6.3%
(85,800 employed)
Approximate number of GM employers
12,270
• Plumber
• Plant Operator
• Labourer
• Joiner
• Quantity Surveyor
• Project Manager
• Bricklayer
• Civil Engineer
• Groundworker
• Heating Engineer
• Electrician
Often, no experience is required for entry level roles and employees can be trained on the job. Apprenticeships are very well respected for trade roles. Health and Safety and CSCS Card training is sometimes required. Technical and office jobs often recruit Engineering/Architecture graduates.
Types of qualifications
(and thousands more self-employed))
What do I need to start my career?
• NVQs, BTECs, Diplomas, Degrees.
Who might you work for?
• Entry level (L1-2) Construction and Trade courses.
Shortage and in demand roles
• CBRE
• Balfour Beatty
• L2-7 Construction apprenticeships.
• Electrician
• Heating Engineer
• Wates
• Kier
• 3 different T-Level routes in Design, Onsite, and Engineering.
• Plumber
• Groundworker
• Costain Group
• Bouygues UK
• MWH Treatment
• Wilmott Dixon
• University degrees in Architecture, Sustainability, and Civil Engineering.
Soft skills
• Lendlease
• Customer Service
• Communication
• Finance & Budgeting
• Time Management
• Project Management
• Teamwork • Sales
Want to know more? - S earch for an apprenticeship or search for construction careers online. 2022
What does the future hold for this sector? • Digitalisation – increasing use of 3D design, data gathering, use of Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). • Net Zero – increasing use of zero/lowcarbon building materials and processes. • “ Modern Methods of Construction”, including off-site production of building components.