A career in construction can be a highly rewarding job, with great work environment and hands on experience. Construction is the perfect industry for people with all types of experience, meaning you can get yourself into the industry in many different ways. So, if you’re wondering how to be a construction worker, find out all you need to know with Accountancy Solutions.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What do you need to be a construction worker?
- What qualifications do you need to be a construction worker?
- How do I start a career in construction?
- How much do construction workers make?
- Is a construction career right for me?
What do you need to be a construction worker?
Let’s firstly talk about skills, outside of qualifications, that you need to be a construction worker. Some of the construction skills you need to have are:
- Good communication skills
- High attention to detail
- Ability to work well with your hands
- Working well as a team
- Knowledge of the building and construction industry
The good news is, you can develop these skills with Youth Employment.
If you think you possess these requirements to be a construction worker, a construction career could be a great fit!
What qualifications do you need to be a construction worker?
There are a few paths to get you on your way to a construction career, so you can get the qualifications you need. There are both academic and practical pathways, which you can find out about in the next section. First, let’s talk about the specific qualifications you need.
The first thing you’ll need is a CSCS Green Labourer card. This is imperative as it has to do with health and safety. This Green card proves your health and safety knowledge and allows you to actually get on the construction site. There are a couple ways to get this:
GQA CSCS Course, Test and Card
This allows you to get your Green card in one day, providing you attend and pass the following:
- A recognised UK health and safety in construction course
- At your local test centre, pass the CITB Health, Safety and Environment course
- Contact CSCS or CITB and pay for your card
Construction NVQ
The Green card can be included in a Level 2 NVQ. This can be a great place to start because it covers all general bases for construction. A Level 2 NVQ in, for example, Construction Operations, can help prove your competency in the field. You may need to start at a Level 1 NVQ for Construction Skills, but check this with the appropriate college. Some NVQs will require some kind of GCSE or equivalent; it’s best to check this directly.
Other Qualifications for Construction Workers
To improve your skills, you also may want to look into other courses that relate to construction.
One to keep in mind when thinking about how to be a construction worker is Operating Plant Machinery. For this, you must have a driving license, be 18 or above and need the relevant NPORS card for the machine you’re using.
For more courses, take a look at the selection 3btraining provides and you could be on your way to be qualified as a construction worker.
How do I start a career in construction?
As we mentioned before, you can get into construction at any time after you leave school. This means there are many pathways for you to reach this goal. Find out if either an Academic or Practical career would be best for you below:
An Academic Construction Career
Building up your knowledge with an academic course might be the best route for you. These can give you a well-rounded experience of construction. Some of the options are:
- Apprenticeships (HND or Foundation)
- BTEC
- Undergraduate degrees
- Degree Apprenticeships
It’s also important to always stay open to learning! Technology is always changing so, if you want to be the best you can be, make sure you learn.
A Practical Construction Career
If you’re inexperienced but have landed yourself an entry level practical job, there are some ways you can show that you’re the right person for the job, which will then allow you to progress.
- Jobs like bricklaying and scaffolding are roles that don’t require lengthy training, so it’s a great place to start. Make sure you note your interest to your employer
- Show and develop the professional skills we talked about under ‘What do you need to be a construction worker?’
- Be an asset! If you’re someone your employer can rely on to do things quickly, work late or on weekends, you can demonstrate your employability
Note: your entry level job may not be in construction directly, but as long as it’s practical and you can develop the necessary skills for construction, you can be on your way to a construction job opportunity.
Other requirements to be a construction worker
Similar to the skills we mentioned earlier, it’s important, at the start of your career, to make some decisions. These decisions will benefit you by giving you clear goals and plans. So:
- Choose your trade
- Get certified
- Network with professionals
- Take note of directions and be open to criticism/learning
- Keep a positive attitude – being personable can go a long way!
How much do construction workers make?
For trainees, the average salary is around £19,600 per annum, according to Jobted.
As you progress in your career, the average base salary currently in the UK is £11.44 per hour, according to Indeed. Jobted also says something similar, with an average yearly salary of £28,300 as of 7 March 2022. This is something to consider when considering a career in construction.
Is a Construction Career Right for Me?
You might have the requirements to be a construction worker, but it’s important to think about if it’s the right path for you. The typical hours for a construction worker are between 42-44 hours a week and the salaries are mentioned above. By taking into consideration all of the information we’ve mentioned in this article, think about your lifestyle to see if this is a good fit.
How SixtyFour8 can help
If all this talk about How to be a Construction Worker has got your head in a bit of a spin, don’t worry, we can help! Our team of personal accountants and experts know all there is to know about the world of tax and can help you with your finances, freeing up your time to do what you do best.
Contact us on 01633 288 299 today and get a free personalised, no obligation quote.
If this looks right for you, you might be thinking of even becoming a self-employed construction worker in the future. If this is in you plan, check out our articles on Becoming Self Employed and How to Work Out your Daily Rate.