AdminThe construction industry in the UK offers many excellent opportunities for well-paid work without requiring a university degree. For those seeking a new career path or a chance to work abroad, certain construction trades can provide a visa and a salary well above what many graduates earn in their first jobs.
This guide will provide an in-depth overview of the highest paying construction roles that offer visa sponsorship for overseas workers. It will discuss the specific job duties, necessary qualifications and training, typical salaries, and visa application processes. The goal is to help readers make an informed decision on whether pursuing a career in the UK construction industry is a viable option.
Overview of the UK Construction Industry
The construction sector makes up around 6-7% of the UK economy and employs over 2.1 million people. Some key points about the current state of the industry:
- Significant labor shortages exist, with an estimated shortfall of around 100,000 construction workers by 2023.
- Major infrastructure projects like High Speed 2 rail and large-scale housebuilding are driving demand for more employees.
- Brexit has reduced the number of EU workers in construction roles, exacerbating existing workforce gaps.
- The average salary for a construction worker in the UK is around £28,000 but roles in high demand can pay £15,000 or more.
- With continued growth projected, the construction industry needs to recruit from overseas to complete projects on time and on budget.
This strong demand means non-UK citizens have excellent opportunities for well-paying construction jobs that also provide visa sponsorship, allowing individuals to legally live and work in the UK long-term. The rest of this guide will explore the highest paying roles.
Top 5 Highest Paying Construction Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
The construction jobs outlined below all offer salaries of at least £15,000 and provide Tier 2 visa sponsorship for overseas recruits.
1. Steel Erector – £18,000 to £25,000
Steel erectors assemble prefabricated steel beams and structures to form the frames of buildings and bridges.
Qualifications/Training:
- Complete an NVQ Level 2 in Steel Erecting, Scaffolding, or a similar qualification
- 2+ years’ relevant experience
Job Duties:
- Interpret engineering drawings and plans
- Safely lift and position steel beams and girders using cranes or lifting gear
- Bolt sections together with riggers following strict sequences
- Erect stairs, floors and roofs from steel components
Visa Pathway:
Sponsorship under Tier 2 (General) visas for Steel Erectors. 2 years’ work experience required.
2. Plumber – £16,000 to £22,000
Plumbers install, maintain and repair pipes, fixtures and other plumbing in residential, commercial and industrial settings.
Qualifications/Training:
- Complete an NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Plumbing or similar
- 2+ years relevant plumbing experience
Job Duties:
- Install and repair water supply pipes, drainage systems, gas lines and plumbing fixtures
- Use technical drawings to layout plumbing systems
- Select and cut pipes to specified measurements
- Ensure plumbing meets building regulations and codes
Visa Pathway:
Sponsorship under Tier 2 for Plumbers. 2 years’ work experience needed.
3. Carpenter – £15,000 to £20,000
Carpenters construct and repair wooden structures and fittings. They are involved in all stages of building work.
Qualifications/Training:
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Carpentry/Carpentry and Joinery
- Minimum 2 years’ experience required
Job Duties:
- Interpret technical drawings and cut wood to required dimensions
- Install roof trusses, floors, doors, windows and other fittings
- Assemble and install frameworks for ceilings, partitions and flooring
- Use woodworking machines safely to shape materials
Visa Pathway:
Eligible for Tier 2 visas. 2 years’ experience as a Carpenter needed.
4. Bricklayer – £16,000 to £22,000
Bricklayers lay building blocks, facing bricks and decorative masonry to construct or repair walls, partitions and other structures.
Qualifications/Training:
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Bricklaying or Trowel Occupations
- Minimum 2 years relevant work experience
Job Duties:
- Interpret technical drawings to lay bricks in bonded patterns
- Select bricks and other masonry materials for jobs
- Use trowels, levels and pointing equipment to lay masonry
- Cut bricks accurately using mechanical saws
Visa Pathway:
Tier 2 visa sponsorship for Bricklayers with 2 years’ work experience.
5. Construction Project Manager – £25,000 to £40,000
Project Managers oversee all stages of construction projects, coordinating people and resources to ensure deadlines and budgets are met.
Qualifications/Training:
- Degree in Construction, Civil Engineering or similar subject
- Additional qualifications like PRINCE2 or AgilePM
- Minimum 3 years’ project management experience
Job Duties:
- Create project schedules and procurement plans
- Manage contractors, budgets, quality and health and safety
- Monitor progress and deliverables regularly
- Address issues and ensure projects are completed on time
Visa Pathway:
Tier 2 (General) visas require a UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus 3+ years’ experience.
Making a Visa Application
Applying for a Tier 2 visa to work in the UK follows a structured process. The main steps are:
1. Find a Certified Sponsor
Construction companies who regularly recruit overseas and are licensed to sponsor skilled work visas.
2. Apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship
Sponsors assign these certificates to approved job offers as evidence the role and salary meet visa requirements.
3. Pay Immigration Skills Charge
The annual fee sponsors must pay per employee on certain Tier 2 visas (not for Bricklayers, Carpenters etc).
4. Complete Online Visa Application
Provide qualifications, experience and financial documents plus tuberculosis screening if applicable.
5. Attend Biometric Enrollment
Have fingerprints and photo taken at a visa application center for identity verification.
6. Receive Decision
Most applications are processed within 3 weeks. If approved, activate the visa by traveling to UK.
Key things that strengthen an application are work references from past employers, trade certifications from overseas, proof of English language ability, and satisfaction of salary and experience thresholds for the given job role. The entire process takes 2-3 months on average from start to relocating once in the UK.
Career Progression and Long-Term Prospects
While starting as an experienced tradesperson, outstanding candidates can progress their careers as follows:
Supervisory Roles
With 5-10 years in a trade, internal promotion to crew leader, foreman or site manager providing guidance to junior staff is achievable.
Management
Moving into senior site management or design office roles coordinating multiple projects requires 8-15 years’ experience and additional qualifications.
Self-Employment
Some tradespeople establish their own construction contracting businesses after a decade of experience, employing others and bidding for contracts directly.
Further Education
Continuing education in areas like surveying, estimating and even MBA degrees open pathways to executive management roles long-term in larger construction firms.
The construction industry also provides ample opportunities for career-long formal training and skills development. For those committed to self-improvement, a tradesperson’s career can ultimately lead them to very senior professional or director-level industry positions over 25+ years.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How high is the risk of not finding work?
While short-term work can’t be guaranteed, trade labor shortages and major infrastructure projects make long-term employment very secure once in the UK. Certified skills and a willingness to relocate nationally aid job prospects.
2. Can I eventually gain UK citizenship?
Those continuously employed for over 5 years may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain then citizenship later on. Maintaining proper immigration status from the start helps facilitate this process.
3. What if I have some qualifications but not the full requirements?
Equivalent overseas certification, a record of employing skills successfully, or commitments to gain necessary UK qualifications can still make one a strong candidate when applying through certified sponsors.
4. How difficult is the work legally and physically?
Construction work demands good physical fitness and safety awareness. Legally, projects strictly follow regulations. However risks are manageable, injuries infrequent for those properly trained and sites invest heavily in staff well-being.
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