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.
The craft industry covers a whole range of different trades including:
- Wood occupations – Site Joiner, Shop fitter, Wood Machinist
- Exterior occupations – Bricklayer, General Construction Operative
- Interior occupations – Painter and Decorator, Ceiling Fixer
- Specialist occupations – Thatcher, Roofer, Scaffolder
- Plant occupations – Plant Mechanic, Plant Operator
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.
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: bench joiner, wood machinist, built up felt roofer, mastic asphalter, bricklayer, stonemason, dry liner, glazier, renderer, plant operator, demolition
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 – The highest requirements are for labourers (1,210) and wood trade and interior fit out (800). There are little or no requirements for: plasterers and dry liners; roofers; plant mechanics/fitters; steel erectors/structural; plus electrical trades and installation.
East of England – The highest requirements are for painters and decorators (1,000) and plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades (870). There are little or no requirements for: wood trade and interior fit out; building envelope specialists; plasterers and dry liners; plant mechanics/fitters; plus electrical trades and installation.
London – The highest requirements are for labourers (640) and plant operatives (510). There are little or no requirements for: wood trade and interior fit out; bricklayers; painters and decorators; roofers; floorers; plant mechanics/fitters; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
North East – The highest requirements are for labourers (550) and bricklayers (510). There are little or no requirements for: roofers; steel erectors/structural; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
North West – The highest requirements are for painters and decorators (620) and floorers (410). There are little or no requirements for: scaffolders; and steel erectors/structural.
South East – The highest requirements are for painters and decorators (340), labourers (290) and civil engineering operatives (290). There are little or no requirements for: bricklayers; building envelope specialists; plasterers and dry liners; roofers; floorers; plant mechanics/fitters; electrical trades and installation; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
South West – The highest requirements are for labourers (1,260) and wood trade and interior fit out (350). There are little or no requirements for: building envelope specialists; painters and decorators; floorers; glaziers; specialist building operatives; plant mechanics/fitters; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
West Midlands – The highest requirements are for labourers (710) and wood trade and interior fit out (640). There are little or no requirements for: bricklayers; plasterers and dry liners; roofers; floorers; glaziers; specialist building operatives; scaffolders; plant mechanics/fitters; plus plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
Yorkshire and the Humber – The highest requirements are for labourers (540) and floorers (340). There are little or no requirements for: building envelope specialists; plasterers and dry liners; glaziers; specialist building operatives; electrical trades and installation; plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades; plus civil engineering operatives.
Northern Ireland – The highest requirements are for wood trade and interior fit out (200) and labourers (180). There are little or no requirements for: building envelope specialists; painters and decorators; plasterers and dry liners; roofers; floorers; glaziers; steel erectors/structural; electrical trades and installation; plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
Scotland – The highest requirements are for plant operatives (1,030) and wood trade and interior fit out (760). There are little or no requirements for: bricklayers; roofers; floorers; electrical trades and installation; plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning trades.
Wales – The highest requirements are for wood trade and interior fit out (1,170) and labourers (730). There are little or no requirements for: plasterers and dry liners; steel erectors/structural; plus electrical trades and installation.
[N.B. Data derived from Constructionskills Labour Market Intelligence 2010‐2014.]
