CGC Oakgrove 4.0

Construction

Sector Outlook Around 2.6 million people are employed in the construction sector and that number is set to grow. The current perception of the roles being muddy, manual and male is far from the reality. The sector offers a vast arrange of jobs in the design, planning and building of houses, hospitals, schools, tunnels, offices and the like. Despite Brexit fears the sector remains buoyant with infrastructure building such as the HS2 rail project and the right to buy housing keeping the industry moving. The current forecast expects around 179,000 more jobs will be created in the next 5 years. Construction industry needs more workers at professional, technical and craft level with salaries rising by 11% pa. Such is the demand that large employers like Tier Plc are sending ambassadors into schools to encourage young people to consider a career. With an ageing workforce the industry needs to recruit 400,000 each year. There are a number of routes into the sector depending on your career interests. You could consider an apprenticeship which are offered at craft, technical and higher level. Many companies have recognised pathways including oppor tunities for graduates and its wor th knowing that lot of managers star ted life as craft apprentices. If you can build upon your qualifications, that would serve you well when applying for roles. If you want to explore the sector fur ther the goconstruct.org site details 181 jobs that are onsite, offsite, in managing, planning, surveying and more. The sector isn’t standing still with new innovations such as smar t building controls, 3 D modelling, on site mobile technology, prefabrication, UAV’s for mapping, nanotechnology sensors, clear metals and 3 D house printing. Women are significantly under-represented in the sector with about 1% of trade workers being female. The website www.women-into-construction.org site offers help to those wanting to get in and experience the sector. You could star t your career with a local firm, construction consultancy or large contractor such as Amey UK, Balfour Beatty, Costain or Laing O’Rourke. Check out their career pages for routes into the business.