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 restore and conserve existing buildings.

  • Architectural technician

    Architectural technicians work closely with architectural teams to create blueprints and technical plans on 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 heritage and 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, digital design technician, engineering design technician

    Computer-aided design (CAD) technicians use software to design buildings, structures, vehicles, machinery 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.

  • Dryliner

    Drylining fixer

    Dryliners 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 install power, lighting and renewable technologies in buildings. They also inspect and repair electrical control systems and machinery.

  • Electricity distribution worker

    Transmission worker, electrical craftsperson

    Electricity distribution workers maintain and repair the power lines and cables 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 engineer assistant

    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 windows, doors and glass partitions in housing, hotels, offices, restaurants 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 sales designer

    Kitchen and bathroom designers create plans to transform spaces based on customers' ideas.

  • 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, bodyshop 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 sprinklers in factories, commercial premises and large buildings like power stations.

  • Planning and development surveyor

    Planning and development surveyors assess proposed construction, transport and environmental schemes in towns and cities.

  • 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 investigate potential sites, oversee extraction operations and restore sites at the end of their commercial life.

  • Quarry worker

    Quarry operative, opencast mine worker, opencast miner

    Quarry workers excavate and process rock, slate, gravel and sand from quarries and opencast mines.

  • Refrigeration and air-conditioning installer

    Air-con engineer, HVAC engineer

    Refrigeration and air-conditioning installers fit, service and repair cooling systems in buildings, storage and transport.

  • Road worker

    Road construction operative, highways operative

    Road workers build, repair and resurface roads, dual carriageways 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 provide business services to landowners and farmers, like property valuation, land management and auctioneering.

  • Scaffolder

    Scaffolders put up scaffolding around buildings and structures so that tradespeople can carry out construction, renovation or demolition work.

  • Shopfitter

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

  • Smart home installer

    Smart home technology professional, smart home technician

    Smart home installers design, fit and configure lighting, heating, security, audio and home cinema systems in residential properties.

  • Steel erector

    Steel erectors assemble 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

    Craft stonemason, stone carver

    Stonemasons carve and shape stone blocks, and lay and fit stonework on construction, conservation and restoration 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 offices, factories, schools and hospitals.

  • Tiler

    Wall tiler, floor tiler, ceramic tiler

    Tilers fix tiles to walls and floors in kitchens, bathrooms, shops and restaurants, using materials like ceramics, slate, stone and marble.

  • Town planner

    Planning officer, spatial planner, urban designer

    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 development applications, gather site data, create technical plans and give advice on regulations.

  • Water network operative

    Leakage operative, distribution technician, network service technician

    Water network operatives lay and maintain the pipes, mains and pumping stations that supply water to homes and businesses.

  • 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 shape timber for products like cabinets, staircases, mouldings and frames for doors and windows.