Look closer. Engineering construction
Engineering construction is hiring around 40,000 new workers by 2030. Looking to change your career path? Put your skills to work in one of the UK's most important and growing industries.
The career you've been looking for, is looking for you.
Competitive pay
Good earning potential from day one.
Around 40,000 new jobs
Growing sector hiring now.
Use your skills
Your existing skills are directly transferrable.
Make a difference
Work that matters.
You don’t need to have experience in engineering construction to join it.
Every time you charge your phone, grab a glass of water or grab something to eat skilled people are designing, building and looking after the facilities that make it possible – you could be one of them.
It’s not about building houses, think bigger. From nuclear power stations to wind farms, oil and gas refineries and water treatment plants, you could work on some of the UKs biggest infrastructure projects. Whether you’ve got experience in solving problems, working with technology, keeping people safe or are an expert at your craft, your skills are transferrable. Progression, purpose, possibility – there’s a place for you in this vital industry powering your every day.
How could your existing skills and background transfer to engineering construction?
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Operations and maintenance
If you’re a tradesperson or maintenance professional, your hands‑on skills are in high demand. You could keep complex sites operating safely, efficiently and reliably over their lifespan.
What could this look like?
You could work on a food and drink manufacturing site, maintaining and upgrading processing equipment to minimise downtime and ensure safe production.
Engineering and technical
If you’re an engineer or technician you can apply your technical skills to complex industrial systems. You could design, install, test and maintain equipment that supports essential services.
What could this look like?
You could work at a water treatment plant, installing and testing pumps, electrical systems or control equipment to keep water supplies running reliably.
Project and programme management
If you’ve managed projects, teams, budgets or timelines before, your skills transfer directly into engineering construction. You could coordinate complex programmes, manage contractors and control risk on large, safety‑critical projects.
What could this look like?
You could work on a nuclear site, managing the schedule and delivery of a major plant upgrade or new build.
Military or armed forces
The skills developed in military service such as technical expertise, leadership under pressure, safety awareness, and logistics are highly valued in engineering construction.
Many Armed Forces leavers find engineering construction offers the structure, purpose and challenge they’re looking for in civilian life.
What could this look like?
You could move into a supervisory, technical or operations role on a major engineering construction site, such as a power station or industrial facility, using your experience of disciplined working, team leadership and operating in high‑risk environments to support safe, well‑planned delivery of complex work.
Procurement and supply chain
If you’ve worked in procurement, logistics or supply chain management your skills translate directly. You could manage suppliers, equipment and materials needed for technically demanding projects.
What could this look like?
You could work on a pharmaceutical manufacturing project, sourcing specialist equipment and ensuring materials arrive on site to meet strict quality and regulatory requirements.
Design and draughting
If you’ve worked in CAD, technical drawing, design or modelling, your skills are directly transferable into engineering construction. You could turn engineering concepts into clear, detailed drawings and models that teams use to build, install and maintain complex systems.
What could this look like?
You could work on a power generation site, producing drawings for pipework, structural steel or electrical systems used in a new plant or major upgrade.
Commercial and contracts
If you have experience in commercial, contracts or cost management roles, engineering construction needs you. You could manage budgets, contracts and change on complex, long‑term projects.
What could this look like?
You could work on a power generation project, controlling costs and contracts during the construction or upgrade of a power station.
Health, safety and environment
If you work in health, safety or an environmental role, engineering construction needs on your expertise. You could use your knowledge to identify risks, implement controls and ensure work is carried out safely in highly regulated environments.
What could this look like?
You could work on an oil and gas facility, overseeing safe working practices during shutdowns, maintenance or major construction activity.
Changing careers. Building the future.
From the army to bricklaying, Alex, Kyren and Connor have each found a new career in engineering construction. Hear their stories.
Oil and gas
Oil and gas still provides most of the UK’s energy. It also supplies important raw materials that are used in electronics, plastics and transport.
Nuclear
Nuclear generates reliable and low-carbon electricity. The engineering construction industry helps to build, maintain and decommission power stations that keep the grid running.
Food and drink
Food and drink is the biggest manufacturing industry in the UK. Engineering construction workers in this sector design, build and maintain the equipment that makes the things we eat and drink.
Renewables
This sector is all about generating sustainable energy from wind, water and the sun. People working in engineering construction design, build and maintain wind turbines and wave power systems.
Water treatment
Engineering construction workers in the water sector make sure that our drinking water is clean and our wastewater is treated safely by working on plants, pipelines and treatment facilities.
Power generation
This sector employs thousands across the UK. Engineering construction workers build and maintain power stations and explore carbon capture to cut carbon emissions.
Pharmaceutical
People working in engineering construction in the pharmaceutical sector design, build and maintain the facilities that produce vital medicines and vaccines.
Chemicals
Chemical engineering impacts on almost every aspect of our daily life, from household goods to new technologies like 3D printing. It focuses on turning raw materials into useful products.
Frequently asked questions
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Do I need a technical background?
Not necessarily. While many roles are technical, engineering construction also needs project managers, commercial specialists, health and safety professionals, procurement experts and many more. If you have relevant experience from another industry, it’s likely to be more transferable than you think.
Will I have to start from scratch?
No. Entry routes into engineering construction are designed to build on your existing skills and experience, not replace them. Most career changers find their previous background gives them an advantage.
What does the salary look like?
Engineering construction offers competitive salaries across all levels, with strong earning potential as you progress. Starting salaries vary by role and experience, but the industry is known for paying well relative to comparable sectors.
Where in the UK are the opportunities?
Major projects are underway and planned across the UK, particularly in the North East and Humber, Scotland, the North West, Wales and the East of England. International opportunities also exist for those who want them.
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