r/ConstructionUK

I cant believe how its not mentioned in public yet. Before, to get green labourer card was enough to pass that health and safety in construction test (from possible over 700 questions). Now its not enough- now also need to buy for 100£ course to get that green labour card. That course its very gimmick, very short, and stupid new information.

The system decided- that if you want to carry on to clean, to move bricks in construction site- you must take the extra course for 100£. Its grabbing the money from the poorest and everyone seems ok with it🤷‍♀️

Hi Gents,

Mid 30s, looking to make a slow transition (2-3 year timeframe) from the IT industry into construction.

Question I'm having is how aggressively to cut my take home-pay in exchange for education. Single and in the South-East where property is unobtainable so there's no lived difference to a significant wage cut in the short-term, but it does compound (as does education).

Local college offers a lot of good courses across Carpentry, Plumbing & Electrics. My strongest interest is in Electrics, but I'm wondering if having some foundations (say Level 2s) across all 3 trades adds value?

From my (now likely outdated) experience as a Labourer, I understand specialised jobs are usually silo-ised due to the costs, but I wonder if it'll add value when starting out, if I ever wanted to set up my own shop or in job security?

Let me know your thoughts.

Hi all!

I’m a 29 year old who has been in the industry for five years within the UK.

I work primarily in residential construction as an assistant site manager and have transitioned into a new company (One of the top ten UK house builders) for about six months now. I’m finding the hours gruelling on a quality of life, with no ends of weekend work, running 30 plots with no support and an overall burn out to meet unrealistic expectations of work load.

For a while I have been considering a career change, but after completing a degree in construction management, the thought of going back to university to acquire another high paying job role feels delirious, but really like the idea of an ocasional day working from home, being office based and having humane working hours.

I’m currently on £51K plus benefits (5% pension and car allowance).

Has anyone moved out of the construction sector into a different role without pursuing a relevant degree? If so, what did you go for and how was the change?

Really looking forward to hearing your insights!

Hi everyone, I'm new to the industry I'm starting on Monday for a month contract PAYE with possible extension. I have things booked for my sons birthday on Friday 29th May and wanted to take it as a day off - at what stage do I ask for it? I'm worried it'll give the wrong impression if I do it too quickly at the same time I don't want to leave it too late. And also do I ask the agency or the site manager. Ta

Does anybody on here know if i can get my green card for free with education as i am under 18?

Hi everyone, I finally got my CSCS card sorted and I'm keen to get stuck into some site work.
I'm based in Newcastle and looking to start as a laborer or trainee mate. Does anyone have recommendations for reliable local agencies that actually pay on time? Or are there any specific types of sites I should walk onto to ask for the site manager?
I’ve got my own basic PPE and I’m ready to work. Any tips for a newbie to make a good impression on day one would be massive. Thanks!

I am looking at an apprenticeship and I have a meeting on Monday but the hours seem fixed at 8-5.

Any idea if these can be flexible for people with a young family ie school runs?

I’m a 25 year old male and being made redundant at the end of this month and then will be going travelling for 6 weeks to have some time away. I’ve been told I have the option to choose any kind of training programme to be fully funded no matter the cost to kick start a new career. I currently work as a warehouse operative holding my counter balance and reach truck license but obviously never wanted to do this forever but I became almost too comfortable doing the job and never looked to leave. I’ve always been pretty good on computers to an extent however I also see myself as an active and hands on person. As a young lad my initial thoughts were to do a trade like an electrical course and i’ve also previously had my cscs card but it expired however I thought i’d come on here and ask if anybody has any industries that may be pretty good to get into. I just don’t want to make the wrong decision as once I have started I can’t change. Any advice or recommendations is hugely appreciated as this is quite a confusing time for me. I had also looked into rail maintenance however I’ve been told by someone who does agency work not to bother as the work is drying up. Any help will be massively appreciated.

Just recently got my CSCS card and looking to get started on sites and build experience.
Mainly interested in labouring/plumbing and willing to put the work in and learn properly. Trying to understand the best route into steady work in the UK construction industry.
A few questions:
Best agencies/sites for finding work?
What tickets are worth getting next?
Is labouring the best way in at first?
Any advice for someone new to site work?
Appreciate any help

I was just wondering has anybody done the “City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 & 3 Diploma Package” and if so what was it like? Basically i’m being made unemployed and then i’ll be going travelling for 6 weeks and after that I have the opportunity to do a training course of my choice and this was one that caught my eye for a career change. I was thinking either this course or to try and find a plumbing course but wasn’t sure which one. Is this the kind of course that is good for a complete beginner? I was planning on doing it as a full time course and not just on weekends. Any help is massively appreciated. Thanks

Hi, I’m an interior design student working on a project about how workers use space in central London, especially around Piccadilly.

From visiting the area a few times, I’ve noticed that a lot of workers (construction, cleaners, security, delivery, etc.) don’t really have proper places to take breaks—people are sitting on steps, standing, or just staying wherever they can.

I’m trying to design a space that actually works for how people use their breaks in real life, so I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone in these kinds of jobs.

A few questions (answer as many or as few as you like):

•⁠ ⁠What are your typical working hours / shifts?

•⁠ ⁠When do you usually take breaks, and how long are they?

•⁠ ⁠Where do you actually go during breaks (stay on-site, café, outside, etc.)?

•⁠ ⁠Do you usually sit, stand, or just keep moving?

•⁠ ⁠What’s the most frustrating part about taking a break?

•⁠ ⁠If there was a proper space for you, what would you want it to include?

Even short or rough answers would really help. I’m trying to make this project based on real routines rather than assumptions.

Thanks a lot 👍