The Problem Solver

Archaeologists increase our understanding of the human past by uncovering and protecting remains and artefacts. These are often uncovered on construction sites and archaeologists ensure they are preserved and can be added to the Historic Environment Records. As an archaeologist, you’d be involved during project planning. You could conduct initial research and exploratory excavations before construction starts to protect our cultural heritage.

Construction team leaders work in supervisory roles and are generally in charge of a team working on a construction project. As a construction team leader, you may specialise in overseeing a particular area of construction, relating to your previous skills and experience, such as bricklaying, roofing or another trade.

A building control surveyor ensures that building regulations are followed on new build sites and projects. They may also be required to survey damaged or unstable structures to determine whether they can be repaired safely or need to be demolished.

A building surveyor is responsible for advising clients about the design, construction, maintenance and repair of buildings. They survey buildings and then report on their findings and make recommendations.

Ecologists study the relationship between plants, animals and the environment. They look at how animals and plants inhabit a particular environment, and report on the likely impact of any proposed construction works. Depending on the job in hand, they could spend time working outdoors, at a university, in an office or in a laboratory.

Electrical distribution workers are responsible for the maintenance of power lines that connect buildings to the national grid. 

Electrical engineers design, develop and maintain electrical systems for buildings, transport systems and power distribution networks. They work in and across many industries, such as construction, transport, energy (including renewables), building services, and manufacturing. Electrical engineers need a good understanding of engineering science, and strong maths and computer skills.

Electrical project managers oversee the installation of electrical systems and supply of electricity to homes, businesses and infrastructure, such as roads or power stations.  

Energy managers ensure organisations meet their energy, carbon and water reduction responsibilities.

Environmental advisors ensure that construction projects comply with environmental regulations and targets. They strategically plan ways to keep air pollution or water and soil contamination to a minimum, reduce material waste and ensure that any necessary waste is disposed of in the correct manner.

Environmental engineering focuses on protecting the environment by reducing waste and pollution. Environmental engineers optimise the use of natural resources, help to develop renewable energy resources and maximise the use of existing materials. They design technologies and processes that control pollution and clean up contamination.

The job of a heritage consultant is to manage construction and restoration projects on heritage sites, such as historic or listed buildings, landscapes, museums and other properties, by providing guidance on heritage issues and formulating strategies to manage them.

Highways engineers are responsible for ensuring that the thousands of miles of road across Britain are in good condition. There are three main branches of highway engineering: planning, research, and construction. Most highway engineers specialise in one of these areas.

Landscape architects create places for people to live, work and play, and places for plants and animals to thrive. As a landscape architect, no two days will be the same; one day you could be out surveying sites or carrying out environmental impact assessments, the next you might be in the office writing reports and drawing up contracts.

Landscape managers plan, develop and care for outdoor spaces, to ensure that people can use and enjoy them, now and into the future. They use their knowledge of ecosystems and human behaviour to advise on construction projects.

A rail engineering manager is responsible for leading and implementing engineering design work for rail projects. They assess the skills and specifications required, and then oversee business operations to ensure that project briefs are followed and implemented accurately.

A rail systems engineer is responsible for providing insight and technical engineering expertise on railway projects and systems such as traction power, train and traffic signal controls, fare collection, rail vehicles and more.

A regeneration officer delivers programmes designed to improve and renovate local areas and buildings in order to bring them up to date in design, health and safety compliance, and current usage. This may include improving areas of deprivation, and accessing the grants and funding necessary for projects to take place.

Remediation specialists deal with the assessment, treatment and removal of contamination from soil and groundwater. They design and implement remedial action plans to clean up sites affected by fuel, pesticides and heavy metals amongst other substances, so that they are safe for the future.

Senior material engineers are responsible for sourcing & testing all materials used in construction, ensuring compliance with specifications. A senior material engineer will research materials to support the wider construction industry. 

Setting out engineers use sites plans, technology and precision instruments to pinpoint and mark structural features above and below ground before construction work begins. They use clear markers to indicate where structures are going to be installed, including access roads, foundations, gas, electricity and water facilities, and drainage systems. They ensure that workers on the site adhere to these markers.

A safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) advisor is responsible for ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, environmental regulations, and quality control, on-site and in construction firms.

Shopfitters transform the interiors of offices, shops, restaurants, bars and more. They create plans, then make and install fittings to enhance our experience of a space. As a shopfitter, you’ll be ripping out the old and refitting the new. You could be overseeing builds and working with a range of materials to bring an area to life.

Site inspectors monitor all work carried out on a construction site to ensure safety and quality standards are upheld. They make sure that building plans and specifications are being followed correctly and manage staff and subcontractors on building sites. They also attend site management meetings and help project managers to plan work.

Sprayed concrete lining tunnel operatives line tunnels with concrete sprayed from purpose-built equipment. The use of sprayed concrete in tunnels, mines and other civil engineering structures is an important and integral part of successful, productive and safe ground support systems. 

A sustainability manager oversees the implementation of sustainability strategies during a construction project. This usually relates to the environmental impacts of the work being carried out, to ensure that the project adheres to the most economically and environmentally friendly methods possible.

In the construction industry, sustainability specialists assess the carbon footprint of a project and suggest ways to reduce its environmental impact on the wider world. They help businesses save money and progress with developments, whilst keeping an awareness of the people and ecosystems, and complying with environmental legislation.