What qualifications are there in the construction industry | Construction qualification break down

Construction qualifications can be confusing for many people. There are many roles within construction and understanding what qualifications you need can seem complex

Construction qualifications can be confusing for many people. There are many roles within construction and understanding what qualifications you need can seem complex. This can be due to the fact that some roles may not require a specific qualification related to that field of construction work and only a more general construction degree. 

The construction industry is responsible for the way our society works, the residential areas we have, roads and highways, as well as other factors in our lives. The UK wouldn’t be as it is without vital construction workers. It is for this reason alone that having the right qualifications for your role is essential to providing safe working conditions and results. 

What construction qualifications are there 

Depending on the job you are looking for there are different types of qualifications that you may need. Each section of construction has its own qualification, such as;

  • Carpentry
  • Bricklaying
  • Plastering 
  • Property maintenance 
  • Plant operations 
  • Roofing 
  • Civil engineering
  • Canals and waterways (Heritage)

Your way into each of these industries in construction can vary. For many, the option to attend college is the first choice. There are a variety of colleges that offer qualifications in any of the above specialities in construction.

Other alternatives are apprenticeship programs which are offered by various awarding bodies. Your employer or potential employer will be able to talk you through your choice of apprenticeship, as well as the position which works for the company.

Qualification providers such as City and Guilds, and CIBT, among others are common providers within the industry.

What additional qualifications are useful in the construction industry

Bolstering up your qualifications and certificates is always a bonus for any construction worker. Additional qualifications can be extremely beneficial such as;

  • Health and safety certificates
  • First aid certificates
  • CSCS cards 
  • Forklift truck licences 

These additional qualifications are a bonus, unless your role specifies the need for these certifications. 

What job roles require specific qualifications

While there are many qualifications that construction workers can obtain for their specific discipline. Not all construction roles require specific qualifications, although they are beneficial to your career progression. 

These are a few of the construction jobs which require specific qualifications in order to work within the role:

  • Arbitrator
  • Building surveys
  • Site engineer 
  • Building engineer
  • Quantity surveyors
  • Estimator 
  • Construction manager 

There are many different routes into construction work, depending on the role you are looking at your way into that position may be different. Understanding the essential qualifications you need in order to obtain that job role is key. 

Adding additional qualifications to help support your career progression is always going to be beneficial. Many construction companies encourage additional training as it offers great benefits to the company and industry as a whole. 

Working with a recruitment agency that understands the construction industry is essential. Our recruitment agents have vast experience within the industry and will be able to help you understand the qualifications you need for your dream role. Contact our recruitment team today to see how we can help you achieve your perfect job in construction. Or view our jobs board for our current vacancies.