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.
Technicians in the construction sector support the work of engineers, architects, quantity surveyors etc. They have to use practical knowledge, but do not necessarily carry out manual tasks. Some technical support jobs include:
- Estimator
- Buyer
- Roofing Technician
- Architectural Technician
Careers in technical support suit people who are good organisers and strong communicators.
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: estimator, buyer, building technician, roofing technician, architectural technician, civil engineering technicians, Computer Aided Design operative, construction technician, plant technician, site engineer, site inspector.
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 an estimated 4,195 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is expected to rise to 4,550 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are an estimated 70 people.
East of England – There are an estimated 6,570 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is expected to rise to 7,780 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are an estimated 340 people.
London – There are an estimated 10,280 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is expected to rise a little to 10,300 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are insignificant.
North East – There are an estimated 3,555 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is expected to rise to 3,875 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are insignificant.
North West – There are an estimated 6,800 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is only expected to rise to 6,845 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are insignificant.
South East – There are an estimated 10,735 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is expected to rise to 11,245 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are insignificant.
South West – There are an estimated 6,050 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is expected to decline to 5,820 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are insignificant.
West Midlands – There are an estimated 5,380 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is expected to rise to 5,690 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are insignificant.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are an estimated 5,055 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is only expected to rise to 5,195 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are an estimated 40 people.
Northern Ireland – There are an estimated 860 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is expected to rise to 975 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are insignificant.
Scotland – There are an estimated 7,295 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is expected to rise to 7,930 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are an estimated 205 people.
Wales – There are an estimated 2,665 technical staff in the construction sector in the region, which is expected to rise to 2,865 in 2014. Annual recruitment requirements to 2014 for the region are an estimated 30 people.
[N.B. Data derived from Constructionskills Labour Market Intelligence 2010‐2014.]
