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
Northern Ireland – There are 11,640 people working in the Northern Ireland creative and cultural sector. 3% of the UK cultural heritage workforce is located in Northern Ireland. Cultural heritage in Northern Ireland contributes £0.1 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the workforce is white and 23% of the workforce is male. Less than 1% of the workforce in Northern Ireland is self‐employed.
Scotland – There are 45,420 people working in the Scottish creative and cultural sector. 10% of the UK cultural heritage workforce is located in Scotland. Cultural heritage in Scotland contributes £41 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the cultural heritage workforce is white and 53% of the workforce is male. 2% of the cultural heritage workforce in Scotland is self‐employed.
Wales – There are 24,060 people working in the Welsh creative and cultural sector. 4% of the UK cultural heritage workforce is located in Wales. Cultural heritage in Wales contributes £0.9 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the workforce is white and 50% of the workforce is male. 4% of the Welsh cultural heritage workforce is self‐employed.
[N.B. The data for the following regions are for the creative and cultural sector as a whole.]
East Midlands – There are 44,380 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are 3,950 creative businesses in the region, of which 92% employ less than 50 people. 35% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 54% are under 40 years.
East of England – There are 63,700 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 6,710 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 37% of the workforce is self employed. 66% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.
London – There are 164,690 people in the sector workforce in London, representing 24% of the UK sector workforce. There are 21,600 creative businesses, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 51% of the workforce is self-employed. 58% of the workforce is male. 84% of the sector workforce is white and 56% are under 40 years.
North East – There are 19,680 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 3% of the UK sector workforce. There are 1,330 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 38% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 96% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.
North West – There are 59,580 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 5,660 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 34% of the workforce is self-employed; the majority of who are in arts and music. 62% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 55% are under 40 years.
South East – There are 98,170 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 14% of the UK sector workforce. There are 12,300 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 43% of the workforce is self-employed. 59% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 47% are under 40 years.
South West – There are 60,690 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 47% of the workforce is self-employed in arts, design and music. 59% of the workforce is male. 98% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.
West Midlands – There are 40,300 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 6% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 31% of the workforce is self-employed, which is the lowest regional figure. 58% of the workforce is male. 91% of the sector workforce is white and 49% are under 40 years.
Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 45,900 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are just under 4,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 40% of the workforce is self-employed. 60% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.
