Finding out about construction – technical roles | National Careers Service

Finding out about construction – technical roles

Entry and progression

Entry to the technical support careers in the construction sector is either through work and further education studies, or by completion of a qualification before entering the sector.

For those choosing to gain a qualification first, then there are opportunities to complete further and professional qualifications when employed in the sector and progress to supervisory or managerial roles. Those wishing to move into technical roles will be able to transfer the skills and knowledge they have acquired in another field of the industry into technician jobs.

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

To progress to technician level, there are a wide range of qualifications available, many of which are industry endorsed, including: National Diploma; HNC/HND; and an NVQ Level 3 in Constructing Contracting.

For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.

Workforce statistics

[N.B. This data is for the construction sector as a whole from 2004.]

Employment trends and future prospects

A high priority for the construction sector in the future will be to address the global challenge of carbon reduction, as it accounts for 47% of all UK carbon emissions generated. New legislation has been put in place in some parts of the sector, but skills will need to be adapted and updated. The key areas for consideration are energy, water, materials and waste. As a result, the sector is looking towards: product innovation; lean manufacturing; innovation in manufacturing away from the construction site; large scale renewable energy; zero‐carbon (residential and non‐residential); low carbon refurbishment of existing stock; low energy buildings; waste management; flood risk; and social/behavioural change.

Individuals employed in technical support occupations will need to understand the potentials and use of techniques, such as:

• Airtightness – a robust primary air barrier around entire house
• Maximisation of day lighting
• Energy efficient ventilation
• Zoning (thermal and lighting)
• Efficient servicing strategy
• Shutters, balconies and canopies
• Vented window panels
• Rainwater harvesting
• Solar panels to convert energy from the sun into electricity
• Wind turbines
• Off‐site manufacturing
• Pod construction – production of three dimensional elements (e.g. bathroom) in a factory, which are delivered to site and incorporated into the building design
• Panellised – factory produced flat panel units which are transported to site for assembly
• Vacuum insulation panels, cavity wall insulation and external insulation

Employment in the industry is likely to continue to fall until early 2011 and then begin to pick up to 2014. As economic conditions improve, stabilisation and then recovery are expected for the private housing, industrial and commercial sectors. In contrast, public sector works are facing expenditure cuts as projects come under review.

In construction overall, on average, nearly 48,000 new entrants will be needed each year between 2010 and 2014. This average recruitment requirement takes account of the natural flow of workers into and out of the industry such as those retiring, or changing career.

Forecasts suggest that between 2010 and 2014, the UK annual recruitment requirements for technical staff will be 685.

Skill requirements and shortages

For most employers in the construction sector, the recession and low or uncertain demand are key issues, so there has been a fall in skills shortages facing employers compared with previous years.

On the contracting side of the sector, the largest volume of skills gaps (around 13,000) was reported for labourers and general operatives. 6% of labourers and general operatives were described as not being fully proficient. Similar numbers of staff were reported not to be fully proficient, including: managers; painters/decorators; administration; carpenters/joiners; scaffolders; and supervisors.

Specific examples of skills required in the industry include:

• Solar Thermal – Understanding of installation issues; understanding of high temperatures and pressures; maintenance of roof integrity i.e. sealing and bracketry; weather tightness of roof
• Heat Pumps e.g. water source heat pump ‐ Awareness of potential damage to ground loop post pressure test
• Solar panels ‐ Electrical safety especially high DC voltages; Inverter trip and failure; Awareness of design issues such as wind uplift; impact of shading/ glare; weather tightness of roof; penetration of roof by fire spread
• Wind turbines – Understanding of installation issues including materials needed to support products e.g. type of concrete; weather tightness of roof; penetration of roof by fire spread

Many people believe that new products require new skills to design and install them. However, skills are either an add‐on to existing skills or an amalgam of current skills. Roofers for example are now being trained to install solar panels in addition to the traditional skills.

Occupational trends

There were an 81,755 people employed in technical support occupations in the construction sector in 2008. This is forecast to decline to 72,860 by 2014.

Salary levels

Construction salaries are influenced by experience, role in the sector, the type of construction that is involved, as well as the geographic location. The following provides a guide to the average salary ranges for a selection of technical support roles and applies to fully qualified and experienced people:

• Architectural Technician £29,000 – £39,000
• Buyer £30,800 – £36,800
• Computer Aided Design Operative (CAD) £30,600 – £36,500
• Construction Technician £24,200 – £34,000
• Estimator £33,500 – £39,600
• Plant Technician £28,000 – £36,200
• Roofing Technician £27,500 – £33,600

Produced Sept 2010, using Constructionskills AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)