Job market information
Finding out about building products
The building products industry is part of the process manufacturing sector, represented by Proskills Sector Skills Council. This sector also includes the following industries: coatings; extractive and mineral process; furniture, furnishing and interiors; glass and related industries; ceramics; paper; plus print and printed packaging. In addition, there are several industries that are aligned with Proskills industries, including: glazing and window manufacture; soft furnishings; design; paper merchants; and mining services. The sector as a whole currently employs an estimated 810,000 people in around 76,900 workplaces. Since 1998, there has been a steady decline in the numbers employed in the sector as a whole and the number of workplaces, but productivity in the sector has continued to increase over the same period. Overall, the sector will need to recruit almost 93,000 people up to 2017 to replace those retiring or leaving the sector.
The UK building products industry plays a key role in the UK’s construction industry producing plaster products and fibre cement for construction purposes. The industry also covers the manufacture of: refractory ceramic products; bricks, tiles and construction products in baked clay; concrete and plaster products for construction purposes; fibre cement; other articles of concrete, plaster and cement; abrasive products; other non-metallic mineral products; plus ceramic insulators and insulating fittings.
Key facts:
- There are an estimated 51,000 people employed in the industry, across 3,000 workplaces.
- Workers in the industry tend to be full-time and directly employed, rather than on a contract basis.
- Work is often shift-based, especially in lower levels jobs.
- 17% of the workforce has a Level 1 or entry level qualification, 29% a Level 2, 18% a Level 3, 11% a Level 4 and 7% a Level 5 qualification.
- Annual turnover for the industry is currently around £7.5 billion.
- There are 907 sole traders.
Jobs in the industry range from: trainee engineer (apprentice), maintenance engineer, mobile plant operative, production operative, team leader, pre-cast concrete installer (cladding and flooring), quality assurance technician, engineering tradesmen, quantity surveyor, engineering manager, quality assurance manager, production director.
Entry and progression
Those wishing to enrol on apprenticeships in the industry have to demonstrate the potential of achieving at least an NVQ Level 2 qualification, plus the knowledge and ability to undertake the training. Entrants should have a good basic education.
Those wishing to enter the industry should have the following skills and attributes: self-motivation; willingness to work, learn and apply that learning; the potential to complete qualifications; ability to communicate effectively with a range of people; plus numeracy and literacy skills.
There are a wide range of opportunities for those wishing to change career direction and enter the industry, in for example engineering and maintenance, product design and manufacture, production managers, production supervisors, process operatives, logistics and sales, and marketing.
There is a range of relevant industry courses, apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and training schemes available.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
51,000 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
3,000 |
|---|
| Gender: |
87% male |
13% female |
|---|
| Age: |
7% of workforce is 16-24 years |
|---|
| 25% 25-34 years |
| 27% 35-44 years |
| 26% 45-54 years |
| 14% 55-64 years |
| 1% 65 years and over |
| 13% of the workforce considers themselves to have a disability. |
Employment trends and future prospects
There has been a decline in the number of employees over the last decade, but the last year, in particular, has shown a significant decline in employment levels as a result of the economic downturn. However, this appears to be levelling off.
Skill requirements and shortages
Generally, the skill needs for the future will be in higher level management and technical operations. There will be a continuing need for health and safety skills in the industry. It will become more important for people to be multi-skilled and able to work across several areas of the business.
Occupational trends
The largest occupational groups in the industry are:
- Process Plant and Machine Operatives
- Managers and Senior Officials
- Skilled Trades Occupations
National and regional data
East Midlands – There are an estimated 7,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 310 workplaces. The Midlands have a large number of manufacturing sites.
East of England – There are an estimated 4,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 250 workplaces.
London – There are an estimated 2,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 100 workplaces.
North East – There are an estimated 1,700 employees in the regional workforce, in around 100 workplaces. There are very few sites in the North East. The industry has declined in size over the last decade, but in the last year, there has been an increase of 500 employees.
North West – There are an estimated 6,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 310 workplaces. The North West has seen a significant growth in employment numbers in the last year.
South East – There are an estimated 8,200 employees in the regional workforce, in around 330 workplaces. The South East has a large number of head office and other administrative sites.
South West – There are an estimated 2,600 employees in the regional workforce, in around 310 workplaces.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 6,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 320 workplaces. The Midlands have a large number of manufacturing sites.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 4,300 employees in the regional workforce, in around 370 workplaces.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 3,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 200 workplaces.
Scotland – There are an estimated 4,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 200 workplaces.
Wales – There are an estimated 2,000 employees in the regional workforce, in around 200 workplaces.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable, so the following only provides an indication of the average annual salaries of the current workforce:
- Entry level (e.g. Junior Production Operative) £12,000 - £14,000
- Full operative (e.g. Production Operative) £14,000 - £28,000 plus
- Senior Management (e.g. Production Manager) £25,000 - £40,000 plus
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Proskills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
