What is a Construction Labourer and what do they do?
A construction labourer is an entry-level site worker who supports building projects by assisting tradespeople and preparing work areas. The role is common on housing, commercial and infrastructure sites and usually involves hands-on, physical work.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Moving and loading building materials
- • Preparing and clearing work zones
- • Assisting skilled trades on site
- • Using basic tools and equipment
- • Following site health and safety procedures
Career progression: Many move into skilled trades such as bricklaying, carpentry or plumbing, and some step up into supervision with experience.
What is a Skilled Labourer and what do they do?
A skilled labourer is an experienced site worker who supports trades and can take on more advanced tasks independently. This role usually sits between general labouring and a fully qualified trade.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Helping with structural and finishing tasks
- • Using a wider range of site tools and equipment
- • Supporting installations, repairs and snagging
- • Keeping work areas safe, tidy and organised
Career progression: Often progresses into a specific trade, plant operation, or site supervision depending on experience and tickets.
What is a Bricklayer and what do they do?
A bricklayer is a skilled tradesperson who builds walls and structural features using bricks, blocks and mortar. The role is essential on residential and commercial builds where accuracy and strength matter.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Reading and working from construction drawings
- • Measuring and setting out work areas
- • Laying bricks and blocks in precise patterns
- • Checking levels, lines and structural stability
- • Repairing and maintaining existing masonry
Career progression: Many become self-employed subcontractors, lead hands, or move into site supervision.
What is a Carpenter and what do they do?
A carpenter is a construction tradesperson who builds and installs timber structures and fittings. The role covers both structural work and interior finishing across new builds and refurbishments.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Building timber frames and roof structures
- • Installing doors, flooring and staircases
- • Completing structural first fix work
- • Carrying out second fix finishing work
- • Working from technical drawings and measurements
Career progression: Can specialise in joinery, move into site management, or work as a subcontractor.
What is an Electrician and what do they do?
An electrician installs, maintains and repairs electrical systems in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The role involves technical work and strict compliance with safety regulations.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Installing wiring, lighting and power systems
- • Testing and inspecting electrical installations
- • Diagnosing faults and completing repairs
- • Checking work meets current regulations and standards
Career progression: Often moves into industrial work, renewables, testing roles, or supervision.
What is a Plumber and what do they do?
A plumber installs and maintains water supply, heating and drainage systems in homes and commercial buildings. The work ranges from new installations to repairs and maintenance.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Installing pipework and plumbing fixtures
- • Fitting heating systems and boilers
- • Repairing leaks, blockages and system faults
- • Testing systems for performance and safety
Career progression: Many progress into heating engineering, gas qualifications, or self-employment.
What is a Groundworker and what do they do?
A groundworker prepares construction sites before building work begins. The role focuses on foundations, drainage and the underground work that supports everything built above it.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Excavating and levelling ground
- • Installing drainage and pipe runs
- • Laying foundations, footings and slabs
- • Preparing utilities infrastructure
Career progression: Can move into plant operation, specialist groundwork, or site supervision.
What is a Plant Operator and what do they do?
A plant operator drives and controls heavy machinery used on construction sites, such as excavators, dumpers and rollers. The role is safety-critical and supports groundwork, lifting and material movement.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Operating machinery safely and efficiently
- • Moving earth, rubble and materials around site
- • Supporting excavation, groundwork and demolition
- • Carrying out basic checks and reporting faults
Career progression: Often progresses into specialist plant tickets, lead operator roles, or site supervision.
What is a Site Supervisor and what do they do?
A site supervisor oversees day-to-day site activity and helps keep work on track. They monitor teams, enforce safety standards and report progress to site management.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Coordinating work across trades and labour
- • Monitoring productivity and quality on site
- • Keeping teams aligned with the plan and schedule
- • Supporting health and safety compliance
Career progression: Common next step is site manager, or a specialist supervisory route.
What is a Site Manager and what do they do?
A site manager runs construction activity on site and is responsible for delivery, safety and coordination. They manage schedules, trades, materials and daily operations to keep a project moving.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Managing schedules, labour and subcontractors
- • Coordinating deliveries and site logistics
- • Enforcing health and safety standards
- • Reporting progress to clients and stakeholders
Career progression: Often progresses into project management or senior construction leadership.
What is a Mechanical Fitter and what do they do?
A mechanical fitter installs, assembles and maintains industrial machinery and mechanical systems. The role is common in manufacturing and project environments where equipment must run reliably.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Assembling and installing machinery
- • Replacing worn or damaged components
- • Aligning mechanical systems and moving parts
- • Carrying out preventative maintenance
- • Working from engineering drawings and specifications
Career progression: Often moves into maintenance engineering, supervision, or specialist project work.
What is a Maintenance Engineer and what do they do?
A maintenance engineer keeps machinery and production systems operating safely and efficiently. They reduce downtime by servicing equipment, diagnosing faults and completing repairs.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Inspecting and servicing equipment
- • Diagnosing mechanical or electrical faults
- • Responding to breakdowns and urgent repairs
- • Improving reliability through planned maintenance
Career progression: Common routes include senior engineer, maintenance lead, or maintenance manager roles.
What is a Multi-Skilled Engineer and what do they do?
A multi-skilled engineer has both mechanical and electrical capability and maintains complex equipment in industrial environments. The role suits sites where faults can span multiple systems.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Diagnosing mechanical and electrical faults
- • Maintaining production and automation equipment
- • Responding to breakdowns and restoring output
- • Supporting improvements to reduce repeat issues
Career progression: Often progresses into senior engineering, technical specialist, or leadership roles.
What is a Welder and what do they do?
A welder joins metal components using welding equipment and techniques. Welding is used across construction and manufacturing where strong, accurate joints are essential.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Working from technical drawings
- • Preparing and positioning metal parts
- • Operating welding equipment safely
- • Checking finished work for strength and quality
Career progression: Can specialise in coded welding, move into inspection, or step up into supervision.
What is a Fabricator and what do they do?
A fabricator makes metal parts and structures by cutting, shaping and assembling components. Fabrication supports engineering projects and manufacturing work.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Reading fabrication drawings
- • Cutting, shaping and preparing materials
- • Assembling frames, brackets and components
- • Preparing items for welding and installation
Career progression: Often progresses into specialist fabrication work, team leading, or quality-focused roles.
What is a Pipefitter and what do they do?
A pipefitter installs and maintains pipe systems used in industrial and energy projects. The role often involves pressurised systems, testing and strict safety standards.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Measuring and cutting pipe sections
- • Installing pipework and fittings
- • Working from engineering drawings and schematics
- • Testing systems for leaks and performance
Career progression: Can progress into supervision, specialist systems, or broader mechanical roles.
What is a Mechanical Engineer and what do they do?
A mechanical engineer designs, develops and improves mechanical systems used in sectors such as marine engineering, maintenance and renewable energy. The role blends technical design with problem-solving and performance improvement.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Designing components and mechanical systems
- • Analysing performance and reliability issues
- • Supporting installation and maintenance planning
- • Ensuring designs meet standards and specifications
Career progression: Common routes include project engineering, senior design roles, or technical leadership.
What is a Marine Engineer and what do they do?
A marine engineer maintains and repairs mechanical systems on ships and offshore vessels. The role supports propulsion, engines and onboard systems in dockyards and at sea.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Maintaining engines and propulsion systems
- • Diagnosing mechanical faults on vessels
- • Supporting repairs during refits and maintenance periods
- • Working to marine safety and compliance standards
Career progression: Can move into senior marine engineering, project work, or specialist offshore roles.
What is a Maintenance Engineer in marine or renewables and what do they do?
A maintenance engineer keeps critical equipment running safely and reliably. In marine and renewables this can include engines, hydraulics, gearboxes, generators, pumps and rotating machinery.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Planned servicing and inspections
- • Fault finding and urgent repairs
- • Replacing components and rebuilding assemblies
- • Recording work on job cards and maintenance systems
- • Supporting shutdowns, refits or offshore campaigns
Career progression: Often moves into senior engineer, lead technician, reliability roles, or maintenance management.
What is a Project Engineer and what do they do?
A project engineer manages the technical side of engineering projects, often in marine, maintenance or renewable energy environments. The role focuses on planning, coordination and delivery.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Planning timelines and technical work packages
- • Coordinating engineers, technicians and contractors
- • Managing documentation, standards and change control
- • Supporting progress reporting and delivery
Career progression: Often progresses into senior project roles, project management, or engineering leadership.
What is a Design Engineer (CAD) and what do they do?
A design engineer creates technical drawings and 3D models using CAD software to support manufacturing, fabrication and engineering projects. The role is common in marine engineering and renewable energy supply chains.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Producing 2D drawings and 3D models
- • Updating designs based on feedback and site needs
- • Supporting fabrication and installation requirements
- • Checking designs meet specifications and standards
Career progression: Can progress into senior design, or project engineering.
What are Fitters & Technicians in marine, maintenance and renewables?
Fitters and technicians support the install, maintenance and repair of machinery and mechanical systems. In marine, maintenance and renewable energy environments, these roles help keep equipment safe, reliable and compliant.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Installing and maintaining mechanical equipment
- • Supporting planned maintenance and shutdowns
- • Replacing components and repairing faults
- • Working from drawings, job cards and procedures
Career progression: Often progresses into senior technician roles, engineering positions, or specialist project work.
What is a Sprayer & Blaster and what do they do?
A sprayer and blaster prepares metal surfaces and applies protective coatings, often in marine and industrial environments. The role helps prevent corrosion and extends the life of equipment and structures.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Preparing surfaces through blasting and cleaning
- • Applying protective coatings and finishes
- • Working to thickness, drying and quality requirements
- • Following strict safety and PPE procedures
Career progression: Can progress into specialist coatings work, inspection support, or team supervision.
What is a Ship Fit-out Specialist and what do they do?
A ship fit-out specialist installs internal systems, equipment and fittings on vessels during new build or refit projects. The role supports marine engineering teams in shipyards and dockyards.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Installing systems and fittings on board
- • Working from marine plans and technical drawings
- • Coordinating tasks with trades and engineering teams
- • Checking work meets quality and safety standards
Career progression: Often progresses into supervisory roles or specialist marine engineering routes.
What is a Renewable Energy Technician and what do they do?
A renewable energy technician installs, inspects and maintains equipment used in wind, solar and other low-carbon energy systems. The role is hands-on and often involves working at height or in industrial environments.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Routine inspections and preventative maintenance
- • Troubleshooting faults and replacing parts
- • Working to safety procedures and permits
- • Using tools, test equipment and basic diagnostics
- • Completing reports and compliance checks
Career progression: Can progress into senior technician, commissioning, or supervisory roles.
What is an Offshore Technician and what do they do?
An offshore technician supports maintenance and repair work on offshore assets. This can include wind farms, platforms, vessels and offshore support operations.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Carrying out mechanical maintenance and inspections
- • Supporting repairs and component swaps
- • Working to strict offshore safety standards
- • Assisting with lifting operations and rigging support
- • Completing documentation and handover notes
Career progression: Often moves into lead technician roles, specialist maintenance, or offshore supervision.
What is a Rigger and what do they do?
A rigger sets up lifting equipment and supports safe moving of heavy loads on marine, industrial and renewables projects. The role is common in shipyards, offshore work and large installations.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Preparing lifting gear and checking equipment
- • Slinging and signalling loads during lifts
- • Working with cranes, hoists and lifting plans
- • Following safety rules, permits and exclusion zones
- • Supporting mechanical teams during installs
Career progression: Can progress into lead rigger, lifting supervisor, or crane-related roles.
What is a Mechanical Supervisor in marine or renewables and what do they do?
A mechanical supervisor leads teams carrying out mechanical work on marine or renewable projects. They focus on safety, quality and making sure work is completed to plan.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Planning tasks and allocating labour
- • Overseeing repairs, installs or maintenance work
- • Checking standards, tolerances and documentation
- • Managing safety briefings and permits
- • Reporting progress and issues to management
Career progression: Often moves into project engineering, engineering management, or senior site leadership.
What is an Administrator and what do they do?
An administrator supports day-to-day office operations by managing communication, records and organisational tasks. The role helps businesses run smoothly and keeps information accurate and accessible.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Handling emails and phone calls
- • Updating records and databases
- • Scheduling meetings and managing diaries
- • Preparing documents and reports
Career progression: Can progress into office management or specialist roles such as HR, payroll or credit control.
What is a Customer Service Advisor and what do they do?
A customer service advisor supports customers by answering questions, resolving issues and keeping records up to date. The role is common in contact centres and service-led teams.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Responding to phone, email and live chat enquiries
- • Resolving complaints and service issues
- • Processing orders, returns or account updates
- • Recording outcomes accurately on systems
Career progression: Often progresses into team leader, quality, training, or account-based roles.
What is a Sales Executive and what do they do?
A sales executive sells products or services and builds relationships with customers. The role often includes outbound contact, follow-up and closing deals against targets.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Prospecting and contacting potential customers
- • Understanding needs and presenting solutions
- • Negotiating and closing sales
- • Updating CRM notes and pipeline activity
Career progression: Common routes include business development, account management, or sales management.
What is a Payroll Administrator and what do they do?
A payroll administrator processes employee pay accurately and on time. The role involves timesheets, deductions and pay changes, and must follow UK payroll and tax rules.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Processing pay and deductions
- • Managing timesheets and pay queries
- • Handling statutory pay and leave records
- • Producing payroll reports and audit trails
Career progression: Can progress into senior payroll, payroll management, or wider finance roles.
What is a Credit Controller and what do they do?
A credit controller manages outstanding payments and helps protect a company’s cash flow. The role focuses on chasing overdue invoices and keeping accounts accurate.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Chasing overdue invoices by phone and email
- • Reconciling accounts and resolving payment queries
- • Updating records and reporting on debt
- • Supporting payment plans where needed
Career progression: Can progress into finance, accounts assistant, or credit management roles.
What is an HR Assistant and what do they do?
An HR assistant supports recruitment, onboarding and employee administration. The role helps keep HR processes organised and records compliant.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Preparing contracts and onboarding documents
- • Maintaining staff records and HR systems
- • Supporting recruitment administration
- • Handling basic HR queries and updates
Career progression: Often progresses into HR advisor, recruiter, or HR coordinator roles.
What is a Marketing Assistant and what do they do?
A marketing assistant supports marketing activity across content, campaigns and admin tasks. The role helps keep projects moving and is often an entry point into a marketing career.
Day-to-day work often includes:
- • Supporting social media content and scheduling
- • Helping with email campaigns and basic reporting
- • Updating website or campaign content
- • Assisting with research and promotional materials
Career progression: Can progress into marketing executive roles or specialise in content, social media, email, or paid ads.