A variety of opportunities are available for those who set their sights on a professional career in the construction industry, either in London or elsewhere in the UK. Despite the wide range of opportunities, individuals should keep in mind that specific skills and competencies are required to successfully gain employment in construction. For some technical and managerial jobs an educational degree and relevant experience are often necessary criteria for employment.

Basic Career Guide

There are different occupational levels and types within the construction industry. Management and financial occupations include cost estimators, operations managers, and construction managers. Office and administrative support occupations consist of jobs that are primarily office-related like bookkeeping, accounting, and office secretarial work.

Construction, trade, and other field-based occupations form the bulk of the industry. Examples of these career options include carpenters, construction laborers, cement masons, painters, electricians, sheet metal workers, among others. Other construction related jobs involve installation, maintenance, repair, and materials hauling or transportation. Read here to find out how to pass the Laborer CSCS test and get a Laborers CSCS card.

CSCS Cards

The UK has a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) that provides a standard for personnel that are hired to do projects in the construction industry. As a standard, the CSCS scheme endorses hiring of qualified personnel and strict adherence to health and safety regulations. Aside from these objectives, the CSCS scheme also provides certification for construction related occupations that are not under any certification scheme.

Through the issuance of CSCS cards, workers in London or elsewhere with established certification are provided with a proof of competency. The CSCS card is only issued to workers who have complied with the requirements of CSCS. Those who are employed or specializing in craft and operative; technical supervisory and management, and other construction related occupations may apply for a CSCS card in London and elsewhere in the UK.

Different colored cards are issued to correspond to specific occupations and training level. Generally speaking red cards are for people who have passed a health, safety & environment test in London or elsewhere in the UK but still need to get an NVQ or more on the job experience. While and yellow and white and grey cards are issued to Profesionally Qualified Persons and people in other construction related occupations. There are 4 other qualification levels.

Having a CSCS card in London and anywhere else in the UK  improves the chances of landing and securing a job in the construction industry. By having a card in hand, the worker has proof of his or her set of competencies and skills. At the job site, implementation of health and safety standards greatly improves with the hiring of CSCS qualified applicants.