Looking for a career that offers good pay, stability, and high job satisfaction? It seems like careers that tick all of those boxes are increasingly hard to come by, but they do exist — and actually, they’re often lurking in corners that you might not expect.
Take a job in construction, for example. For a while, it seemed as if construction jobs were on the way out and desk-based jobs were in, but things have shifted over the past decade. As you’ll come to see in this blog, there are plenty of good reasons why it can be worthwhile pursuing a career in construction. If you’re considering a career shift, or you’re a youngster still figuring out what you want to do, then take a read of the following — by the time you reach the end, you might just have settled on a new professional future for yourself.
There’s Growing Demand
Did you know that the UK’s construction market needs an additional 240,000 workers over the next five years? That’s a pretty significant jump, and it’s good news for people who are considering entering the construction field. As it stands, the industry’s skills shortage means that there will be plenty of opportunities, with high demand also helping to drive up starting salaries.
And what’s especially interesting about the increased demand is that it’s not limited to just a single role. While demand for skilled trades such as bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians is highest, there’s also a significant need for supporting and professional roles.
Salaries Are Competitive
Looking to earn a good salary? Then there are worse industries you could choose to work in than construction. The starting salaries for workers in this field typically land somewhere between £20,000 and £25,000, but don’t worry if you have higher ambitions for your income — this is one of those industries where workers can quickly work themselves up the ranks and take home more cash, especially if they complete additional training that makes them eligible for more advanced positions.
There Are Diverse Roles Available
Construction is a big, big field with a wide range of different types of roles available. Take a look at a construction job website, and you’ll find roles that span everything from bricklayer and carpenter to HVAC fitter and quantity surveyor jobs. If you’re in any way interested in pivoting your career towards the construction industry, then you should have no problem finding a role that aligns with your skills and interests. After all, there’s a near-endless list of both onsite and office-based jobs to choose from.
There’s Job Security
As we said above, there’s high demand for construction roles in the UK — and that demand is forecast to run into the future. Even though the construction industry has historically fluctuated, it remains remarkably resilient, which should give some confidence that you’ll in essence have a job for life, which is more than you can say for most roles.
Even if the UK’s construction sector takes a hit, it’s also possible that you can take a job in other regions that are doing better. In construction, many skills are transferable from one construction market to the next, so you’re not necessarily tied to the performance of the UK economy. However, at this point, that’s just a hypothetical caveat, since the UK’s construction industry is forecast to grow consistently for the next decade.
There’s a Pathway For Progression
It’s possible to have job security and to make a good income even in relatively low-level construction roles. However, workers who wish to progress should find that they have the opportunity to do so. Employers often provide ongoing training and stipends for additional qualifications, which in turn can bolster your skills and make you eligible to apply for more senior roles.
The exact pathway you take will depend on which type of construction role you have. For people in the trades, it may involve becoming a site supervisor or moving into an inspecting or training role. For off-site manufacturing workers, it could mean becoming a production manager or a more advanced manufacturing operations role.
It’s Not a Desk Job
There are some roles within construction that are office-based, but it’s rare to find a construction role that is entirely office-based. Most roles involve spending at least some time out of the office, visiting sites, meeting with contractors, and so forth.
To some people, the fact that it’s not a desk-based industry won’t mean anything, but it’ll make a big difference to people who want a job that doesn’t involve sitting in front of a computer for eight hours straight. And aside from the monotony that desk roles can bring, there’s also an increasing body of research that suggests that sitting down for too long can have a significantly negative impact on health and well-being.
You Can Start Later In Life
Think it’s too late to get started in the construction industry? Think again. Many people assume that they need to be fresh out of school or in their twenties to begin their journey towards establishing a career in the construction industry, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact is that there are plenty of people who get started in their thirties or forties — if you’re motivated enough, then success in construction is possible at any age.
It Makes a Difference
Finally, one of the often overlooked benefits of working in construction is that you get to see the outcome of your labour, which isn’t something that most workers get to say. By working in construction, you’ll be helping to provide the homes, schools, hospitals, and offices of tomorrow, and that can bring a lot of satisfaction. Once a project is complete, you’ll be able to point to it every time you go past and tell others that you played a role in making it a reality. While that might not sound like a big deal right now, trust us when we say that you’ll love it when the time comes.
