The construction sector is represented by ConstructionSkills Sector Skills Council. Construction is the creation of the built environment covering all stages of the construction process, from creating the initial ideas and designs to actually building the structure and ensuring that everything continues to work after it is completed. The sector covers the following areas: building infrastructure (such as roads and rail); the building of public and private housing; the construction of public non‐housing (such as schools); industrial building; the construction of commercial premises (such as offices and retail units); together with the repair and maintenance of these constructions.
ConstructionSkills represents every part of the UK construction industry, from architects to bricklayers. The sector employs 2.35 million people, representing over 8% of the UK workforce.
Professional and managerial staff in the construction sector can be involved at all stages of a construction project from the early planning stages to maintaining a building after it has been constructed. The industry covers a whole range of different roles including:
- Design – Architects, Structural Engineer, Geospatial Modeller
- Surveying – Quantity Surveyor, Building Surveyor, Hydrographic Surveyor
- Management – Construction Manager, Project Manager, Site Supervisor
- Planning – Planner, Facilities Manager, Town Planner.
Some who enter this area of the industry will become specialised in their chosen field, whilst others will start their own companies or become managers in construction businesses.
Key facts for the construction sector as a whole:
- 92% of organisations in the construction sector employ less than 10 people.
- 55% of the workforce is employed in manual occupations.
- 37% of the workforce is self‐employed.
- Much of the workforce is mobile.
- More than 35% of people in the sector are their own boss running their own companies.
Jobs in the industry range from: senior executive, business process manager, construction manager, civil engineer, town planner, mechanical engineer, architect, surveyor, project manager, structural engineer, geospatial modeller, facilities manager.
National and regional data
Fewer employers in the East Midlands and West Midlands who had tried to recruit skilled staff had encountered difficulties (9% and 16% respectively); compared with London and Scotland, where two in five employers had experienced recruitment difficulties (40% and 39% respectively).
East Midlands – There are annual recruitment requirements for civil engineers (210), other construction professionals (140), construction managers (100) and surveyors (less than 50). There are little or no requirements for senior executive and business process managers, and architects.
East of England – There are annual recruitment requirements for construction managers (600), surveyors (480), other construction professionals (340), senior executive and business process managers (190) and architects (150). There is little or no requirement for civil engineers in the region.
London – There are annual recruitment requirements for senior executive and business process managers (470), surveyors (260), construction managers (200) and civil engineers (180). There are little or no requirements for other construction professionals and architects in the region.
North East – There are annual recruitment requirements for construction managers (70), civil engineers (70) and architects (less than 50). There are little or no requirements for senior executive and business process managers, other construction professionals and surveyors in the region.
North West – There are annual recruitment requirements for construction managers (200), architects (210) and senior executive and business process managers (80). There are little or no requirements for civil engineers and surveyors in the region.
South East – There are annual recruitment requirements for civil engineers (330) and architects (250). There are little or no requirements for senior executive and business process managers, construction managers, other construction professionals and surveyors.
South West – There are annual recruitment requirements for senior executive and business process managers (60) and construction managers (60). There are little or no requirements for civil engineers, other construction professionals, architects and surveyors.
West Midlands – There are only annual recruitment requirements for construction managers (720) in the region. There is little or no requirement for all other professional and management occupations in construction.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are annual recruitment requirements for civil engineers (100), construction managers (90) and other construction professionals (40). There are little or no requirements for senior executive and business process managers, architects and surveyors.
Northern Ireland – There are annual recruitment requirements for senior executive and business process managers (110) and surveyors (80). There are little or no requirements for construction managers, civil engineers, other construction professionals and architects.
Scotland – There are annual recruitment requirements for construction managers (630), civil engineers (380), other construction professionals (205), senior executive and business process managers (70) and architects (60). There is little or no requirement for surveyors. Total employment to 2014 is expected to increase in senior executive and business process management, construction management occupations and civil engineers.
Wales – There are annual recruitment requirements for construction managers (330), civil engineers (240), architects (70), other construction professionals (30) and surveyors (less than 50). There is little or no requirement for senior executive and business process managers. Total employment to 2014 is forecast to increase for senior executive and business process managers, civil engineers and architects.
[N.B. Data derived from Constructionskills Labour Market Intelligence 2010‐2014.]
