Why Pivoting to Construction Could Be Your Next Big Career Move

In today’s rapidly changing job market, many professionals are looking for fresh challenges and new opportunities. With a 3.5% increase in construction-related employment in England from 2021 to 2022 (ONS), construction is emerging as a strong career option for those considering a pivot.

Construction offers a thriving landscape with immense potential for career growth, skill development and dynamic work environments. Whether you’re in finance, customer service or administration, the construction industry could open doors to exciting opportunities, allowing you to leverage your existing skills in a new way.

We recently had the privilege of taking part in a London Job Centre fair where this very topic sparked discussions among job seekers. As we spoke with individuals looking to pivot their careers, it became clear that people are eager to explore the opportunities available in the construction industry. Job seekers from various backgrounds were particularly interested in how their transferable skills could open doors to new, fulfilling careers in construction.

Furthermore, London Build 2024 has sparked significant discussion about the urgent challenges facing the construction sector, particularly the need to address a workforce shortfall of 250,000 professionals by 2028. One proposed solution is to explore transferable skillsets from other industries, highlighting the importance of innovative approaches to bridge this gap and the opportunities available. 

Why Transition into Construction?

In the construction industry projects continually emerge in both urban and rural areas. The demand for skilled professionals to manage, plan and execute these projects is higher than ever. 

One of the major draws of construction is the opportunity for long-term career development. Unlike some industries where upward mobility can be stagnant, construction offers numerous pathways for advancement. 

Whether you're looking to climb the ladder into management, specialise in a technical skill, or even start your own business, the possibilities are vast. Certifications, apprenticeships, and on-the-job learning provide avenues for you to continually grow and expand your expertise.

For many professionals stuck in desk jobs, the idea of getting out from behind a screen and into a more hands-on role is enticing. Construction offers a fresh start and a way to reset your career and embrace new challenges. It’s dynamic, varied, and often requires a combination of both mental and physical work. If you’re someone who’s looking for more diversity in your day-to-day tasks and enjoys problem-solving in real-time, construction could be the perfect fit.

Transferable Skills for a Career in Construction

The skills you’ve developed in other fields are often highly transferable to construction roles. Here’s how your experience can translate:

• Finance:

Your experience with budgeting, cost analysis, and resource management translates directly to construction projects. Roles like quantity surveying or project estimating are ideal training opportunities for those with a finance background, where analysing costs and managing resources is crucial to keeping projects on track and within budget.

• Customer Service:

Strong communication, problem-solving and team collaboration are essential on any construction site. Site coordination roles require dealing with various stakeholders, resolving conflicts and ensuring that projects meet client expectations, making customer service professionals a natural fit to develop their existing skills.

• Administration:

If you have experience with organising tasks, data entry and IT admin a construction-related administrative role could be a great fit for you such as a document controller, working with technical documents like blueprints and reports. These initial skills will prepare you towards the professional qualifications and training required. 

How to Get Started: Education and Certifications

The majority of companies that you may aspire to work for require qualifications, but this is not to say that some businesses may be able to offer training opportunities. 

To make your transition even smoother, consider upskilling with certifications, apprenticeships or short courses. Health and safety certifications, project management courses or even trade-specific apprenticeships can help boost your credentials. 

Many colleges and training providers offer flexible courses that fit around your current schedule, making it easier to learn while you transition. Organisations such as Cidori provide adult short courses such as Level 1 Construction Skills, which can help anyone taking their first steps to achieve a CSCS skills card for working on-site. 

Networking Your Way into Construction

A strong network is essential in the construction industry. Here’s how to start building connections:

• Job Fairs and Industry Events: 

Events like local job fairs or industry-specific meet-ups give you the chance to meet employers and learn more about construction roles.

• LinkedIn and Professional Groups: 

Follow construction companies on LinkedIn, join industry groups, and connect with professionals to stay updated on job openings and industry insights.

• Community Engagement:

Volunteering for local projects or attending city planning meetings can also help you understand the field and meet people in the industry.

Construction Isn’t Just for Hands-On Workers

A common misconception is that construction roles are limited to manual labour or on-site tasks. In reality, there’s a wealth of office-based positions that require strategic thinking, leadership and technical expertise.

Roles like project management, architecture, logistics and even marketing and sales play critical parts in the success of construction companies. If you're more comfortable behind the scenes, these roles offer a balance between hands-on involvement and office work.

Top Roles for Career Changers in Construction

When transitioning into construction, there are several roles you might want to consider:

• Project Management: 

Ideal for finance and admin professionals with strong organisational skills. Project managers oversee timelines, budgets and the entire construction process from start to finish. 

• Estimating or Quantity Surveying: 

If you have a financial background, these roles involve analysing costs, creating estimates and managing resources throughout the construction process.

• Safety and Compliance: 

Those from administrative backgrounds with a focus on documentation and compliance will thrive in this area, ensuring construction projects meet all legal and safety regulations.

All these roles will be looking for qualifications and experience. It’s best to look into training opportunities, whether university qualifications or apprenticeships, to get hands-on experience and making that initial first step into your ideal role. 

Technology is Transforming Construction

The use of technology in construction is also transforming the industry. Tools like Building Information Modeling (A process for creating, managing and sharing digital models of buildings and infrastructure) have revolutionised project planning, making construction more tech-focused. 

Additionally, while on-site tech is advancing, resource tracking, sustainability monitoring, safety protocols and the requirement to generate reports are becoming essential for integrating technology into construction. If you enjoy working with technology, construction offers an exciting space where digital skills and industry needs are converging.

Why Now is the Best Time to Enter the Construction Industry

There’s never been a better time to make the leap into construction. Post-pandemic recovery has sparked a surge in infrastructure projects, with governments around the world pouring money into construction initiatives to boost the economy.

With an influx of projects related to infrastructure repair and development, the demand for skilled construction workers is skyrocketing. Whether it’s roadworks, public transportation upgrades or urban redevelopment, the opportunities are plentiful.

Highlighting the need to address the predicted workforce shortage in the construction industry, transferring key skilled workers is emerging as a vital solution. This shift not only helps fill critical gaps but also opens new opportunities for those considering a career move into construction. 

The housing market is another area for rapid growth. With increasing demand for new homes and urban spaces, initiatives like the New Homes Accelerator are supporting this industry. The New Homes Accelerator is a collaborative effort aiming to unblock and accelerate the delivery of housing developments. Furthermore, the government aims to build 1.5 million more homes in the next five years with the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets for local authorities. 

In addition, the construction industry is increasingly focused on sustainable construction and renewable energy, opening up new career paths in green building practices. This shift not only ensures high demand for skilled professionals but also places you at the leading edge of environmental innovation. New regulations, such as MEES legislation aimed at improving energy efficiency in rental properties, are driving the creation of green roles within the industry. Additionally, carbon and environmental reporting are becoming critical aspects of the field.

With a growing emphasis on social values supporting regulations like Section 106, there is also potential to build your career in one of the many emerging roles shaped by these evolving priorities.

Taking the Next Step Toward a Fulfilling Career in Construction

Switching to a career in the construction industry can be both exciting and challenging, especially if it involves a significant shift. Before making any decisions, it's crucial to explore your options and identify the best path for your goals. Construction requires dedication, extensive on-the-job training and various qualifications, so determination is key to success.

Whether you’re looking for a fresh start or aiming to expand your career horizons, construction offers a dynamic and fulfilling path forward.

If you’d like advice on your next steps into construction, feel free to email our team at office@theshoregroup.co.uk, detailing the role you’re interested in and your current experience.