Construction operative

You’d work as part of a team on a building site to construct a building or structure safely and efficiently.

You’d use different building methods and work with a variety of materials. You’d use hand, power and machine tools, following health and safety rules, to complete the different processes involved in a construction project.

Your tasks might include: 

• preparing sites for building work by setting up equipment and materials 

• groundworking – marking out and digging shallow trenches for foundations and drains 

• formworking – putting up or dismantling the shuttering that holds concrete in place while it’s setting 

• steel fixing– bending and fixing the bars used to reinforce concrete structures 

• steel piling – fixing steel sheets together to form temporary retaining walls for excavation work 

• concreting – layering and smoothing concrete for foundations, floors and beams 

• road working – pouring concrete and laying kerbs, paving and re-surfacing 

• installing energy-efficient systems such as solar panels, lighting or water systems 

• carrying out work in a sustainable way, such as using less water and reducing waste

With further training, you could operate construction plant equipment, such as dumper trucks or excavators.

Green job 

In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.

• GoConstruct - Construction careers website from the Construction Industry Training Board

• Construction Skills Certification Scheme – Learn more about CSCS cards

• GreenJobs - Find built environment job vacancies