Construction labourer

Your exact duties will depend on your area of work, for example you might:

• do groundwork like marking out and digging trenches for foundations and drains
•  put up formwork panels to hold concrete in place as it sets
•  bend and fix bars to reinforce concrete structures
•  join steel sheets to form retaining walls for excavations - steel piling
•  lay concrete for foundations, floors and beams
•  set up roadworks, resurface highways and lay kerbs and paving
•  keep tradespeople on site supplied with materials, like bricks, mortar and timber

• knowledge of building and construction
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to work well with others
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• 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

Some jobs involve using plant machinery, like excavators or dumper trucks. To do this, you'll need to be 18 or over and have a driving licence.

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

You could train on the job to be a qualified tradesperson or plant operator. You could also work in demolition.

With experience, you could become a site supervisor.