Maybe you always wanted to be a labourer, or maybe you just landed up in the trade? Whatever your reasons for ending up on site, if you love what you do but just wish you had a little more responsibility and a little bit more money at the end of the month, then it's time to start thinking about ways you can progress.
Part of the appeal of working in construction is the great outdoors. The great British weather isn't always the brightest but it makes for an interesting job when you're battling the wind and rain, and of course on the other side of it you'll be paid to be outside on all of those glorious sunny days.
There's the reward of starting from a pitch of mud to seeing a building through to completion, and there's the fascinating side of getting the job done quickly and safely as a team and working with plant.
Labouring is however physically demanding, and obviously great for keeping in shape. But we all have our limits and we'll all suffer a little wear and tear after a while, so it's always good to have a long term plan to move to something less physical but just as enjoyable.
This is why many labourers look to work their way up to supervisor and site manager roles. You can still be involved in the planning, day to day workflow and being amongst it all on site, but can have a little down time at the desk for paperwork and don't need to be so involved in the hard grafting.
If you're looking to climb the career ladder from labourer to Site Manager, here are some top tips:
- Join a professional body
Being part of a professional body brings all sorts of extra benefits and will sub-consciously help you to feel more "official" at what you do. If you are a CITB member you'll have access to training grants and if you're a CSCS card holder you'll be more respected in your role as you have proof that you can work safely
- Start training again
It may have been 5 years since you finished your NVQ or left school, but you're never too old to learn and in the construction trade certain qualifications are essential if you want to progress. There are special CITB courses specifically for Site Management Safety Training Scheme courses (SMSTS courses) available throughout the UK that can be booked via our website.
- Start job hunting
Even if you're happy where you are and just want to start training, it's still a good idea to get to know the type of jobs you can expect to find when you are ready to move, and what sort of salary you can expect. That will keep you motivated and remind you which skills you'll need to work on before you can confidently apply for a promotion. Always a useful bargaining tool around pay review time too!
If you'd like some advice on choosing the best course for your current level then give our friendly We Do Training team a call.
