Construction and trades

  • Acoustics consultant

    Acoustician, acoustics engineer

    Acoustics consultants help manage and control noise and vibrations in homes, workplaces and other environments.

  • Architect

    Architects design new buildings and the spaces around them, and work on the restoration and conservation of existing buildings.

  • Architectural technician

    Architectural technicians work closely with architectural teams on the design process of building projects.

  • Architectural technologist

    Building technologist

    Architectural technologists manage all stages of the technical design and planning process of building projects.

  • Boat builder

    Marine craftsperson, shipwright

    Boat builders build, repair and refit marine craft from small sailing boats to large sea-going vessels.

  • Bricklayer

    Mason, brickie

    Bricklayers build houses, repair walls and chimneys and refurbish decorative stonework. They also work on restoration projects.

  • Builders' merchant

    Builders' merchants sell building and DIY products and materials.

  • Building control officer

    Building control surveyor

    Building control officers make sure building regulations are followed.

  • Building services engineer

    Building services engineers design, fit and maintain the heating, lighting and power systems in offices, hospitals and shopping centres.

  • Building site inspector

    Clerk of works, construction inspector, building site supervisor

    Building site inspectors check the quality and safety of construction work.

  • Building surveyor

    Building surveyors advise clients about the design, construction, maintenance and repair of buildings.

  • Building technician

    Site technician

    Building technicians support engineers, surveyors and architects on construction projects.

  • CAD technician

    Structural technician, BIM technician, digital design technician, engineering design technician

    Computer-aided design (CAD) technicians use software to design structures, machinery, goods and components.

  • Carpenter

    Joiner, bench joiner

    Carpenters and joiners make and install wooden structures, fittings and furniture.

  • Carpet fitter and floor layer

    Flooring fitter

    Carpet fitters and floor layers fit carpets and vinyl tiles and lay laminate and solid timber floors.

  • Cavity insulation installer

    Cavity wall installer

    Cavity insulation installers fit insulation, soundproofing materials and cladding in buildings.

  • Ceiling fixer

    Ceiling fixers fit suspended ceilings in buildings to cover pipework, wiring, heating and air conditioning systems.

  • Civil engineer

    Engineering consultant

    Civil engineers design and manage construction projects such as buildings, bridges, transport links and sports stadiums.

  • Civil engineering technician

    Civil infrastructure technician, civil and structural technician

    Civil engineering technicians give technical support to engineers on construction projects.

  • Commercial energy assessor

    Non-domestic energy assessor

    Commercial energy assessors measure the energy efficiency of commercial buildings to produce Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificates.

  • Construction contracts manager

    Construction contracts managers look after building contracts and construction costs.

  • Construction labourer

    Construction operative, groundworker

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

  • Construction manager

    Site manager

    Construction managers organise building projects to make sure they're completed safely, within budget and on time.

  • Construction plant hire adviser

    Plant hire controller

    Construction plant hire advisers rent out plant machinery, tools and equipment to builders and the public.

  • Construction plant mechanic

    Mobile plant fitter

    Construction plant mechanics service and repair heavy plant machinery like diggers, dumper trucks and cranes.

  • Construction plant operator

    Construction plant operators work with machinery and equipment used on building sites.

  • Construction site supervisor

    Building site manager, site inspector, clerk of works

    Construction site supervisors manage staff and subcontractors on building sites.

  • Crane driver

    Mobile crane driver, tower crane operator

    Crane drivers operate lifting machinery at construction sites, quarries, mining sites, ports and warehouses.

  • Demolition operative

    Demolition operatives dismantle buildings and structures, remove hazardous waste and identify reusable materials.

  • Domestic energy assessor

    Domestic energy assessors (DEAs) work out the energy efficiency of domestic buildings like houses and flats.

  • Drone pilot

    Unmanned aerial vehicle pilot, UAV pilot

    Drone pilots remotely operate aircraft used in work like surveying, filmmaking and aerial photography.

  • Dry liner

    Dry lining fixer

    Dry liners use plasterboard and panels to build internal walls, suspended ceilings and raised flooring in houses, offices and shops.

  • Electrician

    Electrical fitter, electrical technician, installation electrician

    Electricians fit, service and repair electric machines, equipment and wires.

  • Electricity distribution worker

    Transmission worker, electrical craftsperson

    Electricity distribution workers maintain and repair the power lines that connect homes and businesses to the national grid.

  • Engineering construction craftworker

    Engineering construction craftworkers fit and repair machinery and equipment in buildings and structures from oil rigs to sports stadiums.

  • Engineering construction technician

    Engineering construction technicians support engineers to design, test, install, maintain, repair and decommission industrial facilities.

  • Estimator

    Cost engineer, construction estimator, cost planner

    Estimators work out how much the different parts of an engineering or construction project will cost.

  • Facilities manager

    Estates manager, support services manager, contracts manager

    Facilities managers oversee the operation and maintenance of building systems and services.

  • Fence installer

    Fencer, fencing worker

    Fence installers put up and repair fences, gates and other barriers.

  • Formworker

    Form carpenter, concrete carpenter

    Formworkers build temporary wood or metal frameworks, used to cast concrete and other materials in construction projects.

  • Gas mains layer

    Gas networks operative

    Gas mains layers install and maintain pipelines that supply homes and businesses with gas.

  • Gas service technician

    Gas installation engineer, gas maintenance engineer

    Gas service technicians install, service and repair gas appliances and heating systems.

  • General practice surveyor

    General practice surveyors are involved in the management, valuation, buying, selling and development of land and property.

  • Glazier

    Glass installer, fenestration installer

    Glaziers install and repair glass in houses, hotels, offices and shops.

  • Heat pump engineer

    Heat pump installer, heat pump technician, low carbon heating technician

    Heat pump engineers install and service zero carbon central heating and hot water systems in buildings.

  • Heating and ventilation engineer

    HVAC engineer

    Heating and ventilation engineers install and service heating and air conditioning systems in buildings like offices, schools and hospitals.

  • Heritage officer

    Historic buildings officer, listings officer

    Heritage officers support teams to take care of buildings, monuments and places valued for their cultural and historical importance.

  • Kitchen and bathroom designer

    Kitchen and bathroom designers plan and design kitchens and bathrooms to meet customer needs.

  • Kitchen and bathroom fitter

    Kitchen and bathroom fitters install kitchens and bathroom suites in homes and businesses.

  • Land and property valuer and auctioneer

    Valuers and auctioneers give advice to people buying, selling and renting land or property.

  • Land surveyor

    Geographic information systems (GIS) surveyor, geomatics surveyor

    Land surveyors measure the shape of the land, and gather data for civil engineering and construction projects.

  • Landscaper

    Landscape gardener, landscape designer

    Landscapers create and maintain gardens, parks and other outdoor areas.

  • Mechanical engineering technician

    Mechanical maintenance technician

    Mechanical engineering technicians design, install and repair industrial machines and parts.

  • Paint sprayer

    Car paint sprayer, vehicle paint sprayer, body shop worker, paint technician

    Paint sprayers apply coatings and protective finishes to cars, vans, motorbikes and other vehicles.

  • Painter and decorator

    Painters and decorators apply paint, wallpaper and other finishes to the inside and outside of buildings.

  • Pipe fitter

    Pipefitter

    Pipe fitters install industrial pipework, valves and pumps in factories, commercial premises and large buildings like power stations.

  • Planning and development surveyor

    Planning and development surveyors assess, design and manage development projects in towns, cities and rural areas.

  • Plasterer

    Plasterers apply plaster to walls and ceilings ready for decorating and finishing.

  • Plumber

    Plumbers install and repair water and heating systems in residential households and commercial properties.

  • Quantity surveyor

    Quantity surveyors oversee construction projects, managing risks and controlling costs.

  • Quarry engineer

    Mining engineer

    Quarry engineers explore new sites, oversee extraction operations and manage sites at the end of their commercial life.

  • Quarry worker

    Quarry operative, opencast mine worker, opencast miner

    Quarry workers dig out and process rock, slate, gravel and sand from quarries or mines.

  • Refrigeration and air-conditioning installer

    Air-con engineer, HVAC engineer

    Refrigeration and air-conditioning installers work on air quality and cooling systems in buildings, storage and transport.

  • Road worker

    Road construction operative, highways operative

    Road workers build and repair roads and motorways.

  • Roofer

    Slater, flat roofer, roofing operative

    Roofers re-slate and tile roofs, fit skylight windows and replace lead sheeting and cladding.

  • Rural surveyor

    Agricultural surveyor

    Rural surveyors value farms and areas of land, plan how land is used and advise clients.

  • Scaffolder

    Scaffolders put up scaffolding on buildings and structures to let other workers do their jobs safely.

  • Shopfitter

    Shopfitters make and install fixtures and fittings in offices, restaurants, shops and bars.

  • Steel erector

    Steel erectors assemble the beams and girders that support the structure of buildings, stadiums, bridges and tunnels.

  • Steel fixer

    Steel fixers install and tie together steel bars and mesh that are used to strengthen concrete on construction projects.

  • Steeplejack

    Lightning conductor engineer

    Steeplejacks repair and maintain tall structures like industrial chimneys, towers, high rise blocks, monuments and bridges.

  • Stonemason

    Stonemasons carve blocks of stone, and lay and fit stonework into place on construction projects.

  • Structural engineer

    Structural engineers help to design and build large structures and buildings, like hospitals, sports stadiums and bridges.

  • Surveying technician

    Surveying technicians carry out tasks to support chartered surveyors, architects and engineers.

  • Thatcher

    Thatchers use traditional craft skills, materials and tools to replace and repair thatched roofs.

  • Thermal insulation engineer

    Pipework lagger, thermal insulation installer

    Thermal insulation engineers install insulating materials around pipes, boilers and ductwork in factories and buildings.

  • Tiler

    Wall tiler, floor tiler, ceramic tiler

    Tilers tile walls and floors in kitchens, bathrooms, shops and restaurants, using materials like ceramics, slate and marble.

  • Town planner

    Spatial planner, planner, urban designer, planning officer

    Town planners help shape the way towns and cities develop, and balance the demands on land with the needs of the community.

  • Town planning assistant

    Town planning technician

    Town planning assistants process applications, give advice about regulations and carry out design work and office administration.

  • Water network operative

    Leakage operative, distribution technician, network service technician

    Water network operatives look after the pipes, mains and pumping stations that supply homes and businesses with water.

  • Welder

    Pipe welder, MIG welder, TIG welder, arc welder, boilermaker

    Welders cut, join and shape metals, alloys and other materials in the manufacturing, construction and engineering industries.

  • Window fitter

    Window fitters install windows, conservatories and glazed curtain walls in homes and businesses.

  • Wood machinist

    Wood machinists cut and prepare timber for use in wood products.