A builder carries out construction and renovation work on buildings, including tasks such as bricklaying, carpentry, plastering, painting and finishing. Builders may specialise as bricklayers or carpenters or work as general builders on site. Training often starts with a construction apprenticeship or vocational courses, leading to professional qualifications and progression to supervisory roles. Strong practical skills, safety awareness and the ability to read plans are essential. Careers can develop into site management, project coordination or trades supervision.
Typical annual pay in the UK ranges from £25,000 to £40,000, with skilled experienced builders often earning higher.
Demand remains solid in the UK due to new housing, renovations and infrastructure projects, with steady opportunities across regions.
Most builders work full time, including some weekend work on larger projects; site hours usually from early morning to mid afternoon.
Oversees day to day on site, coordinates trades and ensures health and safety compliance while supporting a builder with project delivery
Supports cost planning and financial control on construction projects, preparing estimates and tracking expenses
Maintains and repairs buildings for organisations or housing associations, applying practical building skills and problem solving
Understand the roles within building and how they connect, from labourer to site supervisor.
Research different trades and understand what interests you, such as bricklaying, carpentry, tiling or plastering. Consider speaking with mentors or visiting a local site to see day-to-day tasks. This initial exploration helps you choose a practical path and informs decisions about training and qualifications.
Enroll in a construction qualification to build foundational skills.
Look for a college course or an apprenticeship that covers essential trade skills and health and safety. You will learn basic building techniques, measurement, and how to read plans. Completing a recognised qualification opens doors to entry level roles and further training.
Find an entry role such as labourer or site apprentice to gain hands on experience.
On an active site you will learn how a project is organised, the sequence of trades, and how to observe safety rules. Document your tasks, ask questions, and demonstrate reliability and punctuality to earn more responsibility.
Commit to a trade such as bricklaying, carpentry, plastering or plumbing.
An apprenticeship combines paid work with structured training. You will learn specific techniques, tools, and materials While building a portfolio of practical projects. Successful completion leads to recognised trade qualifications and progression to supervisory roles.
Build accuracy, teamwork, and safety awareness on site.
Practice measuring, cutting, and fitting materials to exact specifications. Learn to interpret plans, follow building regulations, and communicate effectively with the site team. Documenting progress and reflecting on feedback accelerates mastery.
Complete NVQ or SVQ levels and any required certifications for your trade.
Qualifications provide formal recognition of your abilities. They are often required for progression to skilled roles and for higher wage brackets. Keep a record of your on site achievements to support your portfolio.
Take on more responsibility on site and start coordinating tasks.
As you gain experience, you may supervise a small team, manage materials, and ensure work aligns with project milestones. Demonstrate leadership, risk assessment, and problem solving on site.
Learn planning, scheduling, and cost awareness relevant to sites.
Understanding how projects are planned helps you contribute to efficiency and quality. Consider short courses in construction management or software like spreadsheets and scheduling tools to support team goals.
Aim for roles such as site supervisor or foreman with broader oversight.
In senior roles you will oversee safety, quality, and coordination among trades. Build a track record of reliable delivery, problem solving, and clear communication to advance.
Specialises in laying bricks and blocks, creating walls and structures, with similar trade skills and progression paths.
Works with wood to build and install structures, fittings and finishings, often collaborating on building projects.
Oversees day to day site operations, safety, and coordination of trades on a construction project.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Builder. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.
Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.
Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.
These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!
A Builder performs hands-on construction work on site and often coordinates trades. A Construction site supervisor similarly manages on-site activities, oversees progress and safety, and ensures quality, requiring comparable practical construction knowledge and on-site experience.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
Degrees that offer the chance to gain work experience through a year in industry placement or paid internship may give you an advantage when looking for work.
You'll usually need:
You could do a college course to move into site management. Relevant subjects include:
You normally need experience of working in construction or have a construction-related qualification to do these courses.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You can apply to do a Construction Site Supervisor Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.
This can take around 3 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.
To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:
If you're working in construction or civil engineering, for example as a senior tradesperson or surveying technician, you could move into a supervisory or management role through training and promotion.
You could join the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate for professional development, industry news and useful resources.
You'll find more details about training and working in construction from Go Construct and House Building Careers.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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