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Construction site supervisor

Alternative titles for this job include Building site manager, site inspector, clerk of works

Construction site supervisors manage staff and subcontractors on building sites.

Average salary (a year)

£28,000 Starter

to

£51,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 46 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • building studies
  • construction management
  • surveying
  • civil engineering
  • construction engineering

Degrees that offer the chance to gain work experience through a year in industry placement or paid internship may give you an advantage when looking for work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could do a college course to move into site management. Relevant subjects include:

  • construction site supervisory studies
  • construction site supervision
  • construction site management

You normally need experience of working in construction or have a construction-related qualification to do these courses.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Construction Site Supervisor Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This can take around 3 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

If you're working in construction or civil engineering, for example as a senior tradesperson or surveying technician, you could move into a supervisory or management role through training and promotion.

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate for professional development, industry news and useful resources.

Further information

You'll find more details about training and working in construction from Go Construct and House Building Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to motivate and manage staff
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • be able to cope with working at height
  • have a full driving licence

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a construction site supervisor, you would:

  • agree inspection procedures with subcontractors
  • examine building plans to make sure they meet set standards
  • manage orders and deliveries of construction materials
  • organise staff work schedules
  • visit sites to inspect ongoing work and check safety procedures
  • check the quality of completed jobs
  • audit inspection processes to make sure they are effective
  • complete site reports for construction managers

Working environment

You could work on a construction site, at a client's business or in an office.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could work in:

  • health and safety
  • contract management
  • estimating
  • construction management

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Construction Apprentice

  • Wage: £17,000 a year Annually
  • Location: Ling Road Tower Park, Bournemouth, Dorset

Site Supervisor Apprentice

  • Wage: £11,778 to £19,047.60 a year Annually
  • Location: Ashton Road, Romford
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

HNC Construction Management (HTQ)

  • Provider: WARRINGTON & VALE ROYAL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 16 September 2025
  • Location: Warrington

HNC Construction Management

  • Provider: NEW COLLEGE DURHAM
  • Start date: 15 September 2025
  • Location: Durham
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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