CONSTRUCTION

The Construction sector includes both contractors and consultants. Contractors can be general (for example house builders, building repairers) or more specialised (such as plumbers, electricians and woodworkers). Consultants include professional occupations such as architects, civil engineers and surveyors.

Source: New Economy Manchester's Policy & Research Team

Key Statistics 

Distribution of Employees in Construction

working within Greater Manchester, 2007

Employment Concentrations

based on numbers working in Construction in Greater Manchester, 2007

Large or significant Construction employers in Greater Manchester include:

Ainscough - Mobile crane hire

Bardsley - Builders

Barratt Homes - Construction of domestic buildings

Bethell Group - Civil engineers

Ennis Construction - Civil engineers

G. and J. Seddon - Construction Building contractors

Heyrod Construction - Construction of domestic buildings

Miller Construction - Construction of commercial buildings

Shepherd Construction - Builders

William Hare Ltd - Structural engineers

Source: Business Support Solutions, 2008

Employment Concentrations

based on numbers working in Construction in Greater Manchester, 2007

Forecast employment changes in Construction

in Greater Manchester, 2007-2013

Occupations include:

Architects

Architectural technologists and town planning technicians

Bricklayers, masons

Building and civil engineering technicians

Carpenters and joiners

Chartered surveyors

Civil engineers

Construction operatives

Crane drivers

Draughtspersons

Electrical / electronics engineers

Electricians, electrical fitters

Engineering professionals

Engineering technicians

Floorers and wall tilers

Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters

Labourers in building and woodworking trades

Labourers in construction trades

Labourers in process and plant operations

Managers in construction

Metal working production and maintenance fitters

Mobile machine drivers and operatives

Painters and decorators

Pipe fitters

Plasterers

Plumbers, heating and ventilating engineers

Production, works and maintenance managers

Quantity surveyors

Road construction operatives

Roofers, roof tilers and slaters

Scaffolders, stagers and riggers

Telecommunications engineers

Case Studies

I left school with nine good GCSEs and wasn’t really sure what to do next. All I knew was that I wanted to start earning some money while also pursuing an interesting career. I’d really enjoyed studying for my GCSE in Electronics so I applied for, and was offered, a four year electrical apprenticeship. This meant I would be able to progress from learning basic skills to becoming a fully skilled and qualified electrician.

My main areas of work are in electrical installation and maintenance. I go into houses and repair sockets, install heaters and sometimes even carry out complete re-wires.

I’ve just completed my NVQ Level 2 and Technical Certificate Part 1 and am now working towards NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation. I’ve also nearly completed my Key Skills.

People are often surprised when I tell them what I do because it’s considered more of a male dominated career but I think it’s something a lot of other women would enjoy too. I’d definitely recommend a careeras an electrician – the work is really varied and there’s a great working atmosphere. I feel a real sense of achievement when I think about all the skills I have learnt and I am particularly proud to be one of only a few female apprentice electricians.

After leaving school, I worked as a carpenter on building sites for about four years. I wanted to further my career so I decided to become a trainee surveyor with a building contractor which offers services in design and build, maintenance and interior design and refurbishment. They supported me while I studied for a degree in Construction Management which I have just completed.

I now work in the Small Works Division which handles up to ten projects at a time. My main duties include site measuring, pricing variations, preparing and submitting valuations and final accounts, paying subcontractors and dealing with any other issues as and when they arise.

My degree is not entirely related to the work I do at the moment but many companies are flexible about degree subjects and will offer specialist training. Despite not using everything I learnt at university, there is a lot of knowledge which has come in useful and I feel I have a solid base on which to build my career in Construction.

For further information on careers in construction visit:

Careers Northwest

CITB Construction

Jobs4You