Construction labourer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could start by taking a college course like:

• Level 1 Certificate in Construction Skills
• Level 2 Certificate in Construction Operations

Entry requirements:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

Intermediate apprenticeships relevant to this role include:

• groundworker
• road surfacing operative
• piling attendant

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs. There are no set requirements but it may help if you have:

• construction site experience
• knowledge of building materials
• worked at a builder's merchants or yard

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to work well with others
• physical skills like lifting, bending and carrying
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• physical fitness and endurance
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of maths
• customer service skills
• knowledge of public safety and security
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• leadership skills
• observation and recording skills
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Construction labourers work on practical tasks on construction sites from the start to the end of building projects.

Your exact duties will depend on your area of work, for example you might:

• do groundwork like marking out and digging trenches for foundations and drains
• put up formwork panels to hold concrete in place as it sets
• bend and fix bars to reinforce concrete structures
• join steel sheets to form retaining walls for excavations - steel piling
• lay concrete for foundations, floors and beams
• set up roadworks, resurface highways and lay kerbs and paving
• keep tradespeople on site supplied with materials, like bricks, mortar and timber

Location : You could work on a construction site.
Environment : Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £17,000
Experienced : £32,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

42 - 44 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends away from home

Career Path:

You could train on the job to be a qualified tradesperson or plant operator. You could also work in demolition.

With experience, you could become a site supervisor.