Building a Career in Construction and Property

Build your Career in Construction and Property

June 2025

Why Choose a Career in Construction & Property?

If you are looking for a career that’s hands-on, rewarding and future-proof, a construction or property career could be the perfect fit.

The construction & property industries are essential to many facets of our lives and play a vital role in the economy, contributing to infrastructure, housing and commercial projects including property development and management. Construction involves designing, building, repairing, maintaining and managing structures from houses, commercial properties and skyscrapers, to roads, tunnels and bridges. It is a resilient industry and there is always a demand for skilled professionals in this varied and growing field.

This is particularly so with a rise in Green Careers as companies work towards the target of net-zero by 2050, aiming to create a more sustainable future and new job roles such as retrofitters to sustainability consultants, to biodiversity advisers and ethical traders.

At FutureSmart Careers, our qualified careers advisers provide careers advice and guidance for thousands of students every year about pathways, training and job opportunities. Many students are drawn to the variety in construction & property roles, the chance to work on real-world projects, and the opportunity to earn while learning through apprenticeships in construction.

The sector needs young people with fresh ideas, energy and ambition. Whether you’re aiming for an apprenticeship, vocational course or university degree, there are opportunities to build a brilliant future – and earn well while doing it.

Curious about which construction or property careers might suit you best? Keep reading to explore the many paths you can take—and start thinking about your next step.

Career Pathways

Many opportunities exist whatever your skills, interests and education, with opportunities to enter entry level roles that can also provide pathways for development and progression into managerial positions and self-employment.

The range of roles available is wide and varied, here are a few:

Hands-on trades include:

Bricklayers and Labourers
Scaffolders
Roofers
Electricians
Plumbers
Stonemason
Carpenters and Joiners
Plasterers
Painters and decorators

More specialist, technical and managerial roles include:

Civil engineers
Architects
Urban Planners
Property Developers
Building inspectors
Surveyors
Site Managers
Building Control Officers

Not sure which role fits your skills and interests? Check out these resources to explore your options and find a career that excites you.

National Careers Service: Careers in Construction

UCAS: Explore careers in construction

Prospects: Careers in Property & Construction

What can I earn?

Salaries vary considerably depending on the type of construction or property role you are interested in and they also vary by location and experience.

Some roles are paid hourly and some are paid annually. A labourer for example can earn approximately £22,334 per annum, whereas an experienced bricklayer may earn £45,000 per annum or more.

Building Surveyor salaries start at £25,000 per annum but can increase to £70,000, and a newly qualified architect can earn between £31,000- £48,000 per annum. Salaries will also depend on whether you are employed or self-employed.

Routes into Construction and Property

Useful School Subjects

If you're interested in a career in construction or property, the following school subjects can be really helpful:

Maths and Science (especially Physics): Useful for design, measurements, and understanding how buildings and structures work.

Design & Technology (DT) and Art: Great for developing creativity and practical skills, especially for roles like architect or engineer.

Geography: Helps with sustainability and urban planning.

ICT: Useful for digital design and project management.

English: Important for clear communication and teamwork.

Business Studies: Helpful if you’re aiming for management roles or running your own company one day.

What other skills are useful?

Problem-solving – construction sites are always evolving, so you’ll need to be flexible to changing demands

Teamwork – construction is not often a solo job; being able to work as part of a team is a must!

Attention to detail – little mistakes could lead to bigger issues

Maths and Science – especially important for roles in design, engineering, and planning

Creativity – new designs, solutions and innovation are key.

Vocational College Courses for 16+

If you prefer learning by doing and want to get straight into your chosen career, vocational college courses—such as T-Levels, Diplomas, and Certificates—offer hands-on, practical training that helps you develop real-world skills, making them a great alternative to A levels.

Check out your local college website and look out for open days.

Examples of vocational college courses that relate to construction:

Plumbing Level 1-3
Electrical Installation Level 3
T-Level Building Services Engineers for Construction: find out more here
T-Level Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction: find out more here

Construction Apprenticeships UK

Not only can you learn a trade through an apprenticeship, but you can also earn professional qualifications via higher and degree apprenticeships, which are often offered by larger construction firms such as Balfour Beatty, Amey or Taylor Wimpey.

Examples of apprenticeships:

Level 2 Bricklayer or Plasterer
Level 3 Domestic Electrician
Level 3 Installation and Maintenance Electrician
Level 3 Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician
Level 4 Site Manager
Level 6 Civil Engineer degree apprenticeship
Level 6 Architectural Assistant degree apprenticeship
Level 7 Architect degree apprenticeship
Level 6 Building Inspector / Building Control Officer Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6 Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship
Level 6 Construction Site Manager Degree Apprenticeship

University degree courses

Ideal for engineering, architecture, or project management roles. You could consider a course offering a professional placement year to get industry experience.

Some examples of university degree courses:

UWE Bristol – BSc (Hons) Construction Project Management, find out more here
Newcastle University BA (Hons) Urban Planning, find out more here
University of Plymouth – BSc (Hons) Building Surveying, find out more here
Falmouth University – BSc (Hons) Architecture, find out more here
Royal Agricultural University – BSc (Hons) Real Estate here

For placement year opportunities and internships at Wilmott Dixon click here

You can also search for available openings at Gradcracker - Construction Management Work Placements & Internships

Work Experience

Why not explore and try jobs you are interested in early to see whether they are for you? Offer to do some work experience so the employer can also see you are keen.

Springpod offer virtual work experience programmes in construction, architecture and real estate. You can even get a taste of construction work at Heathrow Airport! Access the work experience here: Springpod - Construction trades work experience

Costain offer work experience programmes (1-2 weeks) in engineering and construction for students aged 14-18 which can sometimes lead to a paid apprenticeship. Find out more and apply here.

BAM Construction has many links with schools and education. They build and maintain many schools, colleges and university buildings. To find out more about their work experience programmes click here.

Women in Construction

In the UK construction industry, women make up for around 15% of the workforce. Women entering the construction industry has increased in recent years, but there is still work to do! This interesting article, produced in partnership with Gleeds, speaks to twelve inspiring women in built environment careers, in the hope that their stories will inspire other women to enter the industry. You can read the report here.

Explore Further

Explore the world of construction & property – it is so much more than just a hard hat and a dusty work site! Demand is real and opportunities are growing. To find out more about the best fit for you, discover more at Go Construct - what jobs are right for me?

Build Your Future gives an overview of the many different roles in construction and provides you with the opportunity to take part in a personality quiz to match you to the construction role that might be best suited to you.

You could also familiarise yourself with the industry and learn the basics by completing an online course. FutureLearn and Coursera offer short courses in construction:

FutureLearn- Courses in Construction

Coursera - Construction courses

Coursera – Property courses

Get in Touch

If you're interested in a career in construction or property and want to explore your next steps, we’re here to help. Whether you’re thinking about apprenticeships, college, university, or just want to talk through your options, our team can offer personalised careers information, advice, and guidance.

Schools are also very welcome to contact us to find out how we can support your students in exploring careers in construction and other exciting fields. We can help students discover a range of career possibilities and build successful futures with confidence and clarity.

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