Construction labourer
Construction labourers support tradespeople on building sites by digging trenches, mixing mortar and concrete, and operating machinery.
Also known as: Construction operative, groundworker
- Starter salary£23,000 a year
- Experienced£35,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 44 a week
What you'll do
As a construction labourer, you could:
- mark out and dig trenches for foundations and drains
- put up formwork panels to hold setting concrete in place
- fix steel bars to reinforce concrete structures
- build retaining walls with panels to allow excavations - steel piling
- lay concrete for foundations, floors and beams
- build or resurface roads, and lay kerbs and paving
- use machinery to lift and move building materials around a site
- keep tradespeople supplied with bricks, mortar and timber
Working environment
You could work on a construction site.
Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of building and construction
- the ability to work well with your hands
- the ability to work well with others
- knowledge of public safety and security
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- physical fitness and endurance
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a construction labourer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could take a college course in construction skills or construction operations.
Courses like these may help you when applying for jobs.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship with a construction firm.
Apprenticeship examples include:
- groundworker
- construction plant operative
- piling attendant
- road surfacing operative
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Direct application
You can apply directly for jobs. There are no set requirements but it may help if you have:
- construction site experience
- knowledge of building materials
- experience in a builder's merchants or yard
You may need your own safety boots, hard hat and hi-viz top, though some employers will supply these.
Restrictions and requirements
Some jobs involve operating plant machinery, like excavators or dumper trucks. To do this, you'll need to be 18 or over and have a driving licence.
Career path and progression
You could train on the job to be a qualified tradesperson or plant operator. You could also work in demolition or road resurfacing.
With experience, you could become a team leader or construction site supervisor.
Registration
- you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site
Guides for this industry
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0