If you love hands-on work that also involves using your mind then a labouring job might be right for you. While the title of the role can confuse people into thinking that it is nothing but mindless lifting, there’s a lot more involved in this job. What’s more, you stand to earn above the UK national average salary. But what do labouring jobs involve?
A labourer is someone that is employed to carry out practical tasks, usually on a construction site throughout the duration of a project. You’ll need equal amounts of physical and mental skill and this can be a very rewarding role.
But there is a lot more to understand about becoming a labourer. This guide tells you everything you need to know and will answer all of your burning questions before you make a career choice.
Related Article: How Do You Become A Labourer With No Experience
Is Labouring A Hard Job?
Nobody wants to grind themselves into the ground when they’re working but there are a lot of people who find physical work very rewarding. If this sounds like you then you might be interested in becoming a labourer.
However, it is important to keep in mind that this isn’t the right career for everyone. There is a lot of hard physical work involved so you will need to be prepared to get stuck in every day.
What Skills Will I Need To Be A Successful Labourer?
In order to be a labourer, one of the most important things you’ll need is a good level of physical fitness. You will be moving heavy items and will spend long hours on your feet so it’s important that this won’t be detrimental to your health. Things like lifting, carrying and bending will all be involved.
As well as this, you will need to be able to have a good knowledge of tools and how to use and repair them. Being able to work well with your hands is another important skill of any successful labourer.
But being physically able isn’t the only skill you’ll need. Labourers must be able to work well under pressure and should be able to make decisions. You must pay great attention to detail and be able to work well as part of a team. Sometimes, you will have to accept constructive criticism and work to improve on any areas that need it.
Many times, you will also come face to face with clients so good communication and customer service skills are important. You may also need basic computer skills as many labourers perform tasks on a handheld computer or other device.
What Do Labourers Earn?
As a labourer, you will normally work between 40 and 42 hours each week. This may involve working away from home, depending on where the project is taking place and could also involve weekends and evenings.
However, you will be earning above the nation average UK salary with most labourers bringing in around £32,000 a year. This does not reflect what an apprentice or trainee would earn, in which case, your salary may only be half of the previous figure.
What Does A Labourer Do Day To Day?
If you’re thinking about becoming a labourer, you’ll need to know what to expect from your working day. The great thing about this type of work is that there is always something different to do; if you like varied work then this might be the right option.
In general, your day to day tasks as a labourer may include any of the following. However, please keep in mind that what you do will vary hugely depending on the type of project you’re working on.
- Operating dumper trucks, diggers and other heavy machinery
- Setting up tasks on the construction site
- Cleaning jobs
- Paving road surfaces and laying kerbs
- Digging trenches
- General maintenance of on site equipment
- Working at heights in line with health and safety
- Erecting panels
- Directing traffic when working on a roadside site
How Do You Become A Labourer?
Becoming a labourer might not be as straightforward as many people think. There are training courses that you’ll need to go through before you can start applying for jobs. One of the most common and easiest routes to this career is to complete a college course in Construction Skills. A level 1 or 2 course will be sufficient. However, do keep in mind that you’ll need a certain number of GCSEs to get onto the course. If you don’t have these, you can take them before applying.
Another way to get into labouring is through an apprenticeship. This is the perfect option for people who want to earn as they learn. You must remember that you’ll only earn the UK National Minimum Apprentice Wage but this will rise once you are qualified. This is also a good choice for people who learn better when getting their hands dirty, so to speak.
If you don’t want to go through any official training, there may be companies that take on new labourers with experience in other areas. If you have any experience on a construction site, this will work in your favour and your new employer will train you accordingly. You should keep in mind that you will need to apply for a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card if you wish to work on a construction site.
Conclusion
For people who want a job that challenges them both physically and mentally, labouring is a great choice. It is a job that involves a lot of different tasks from prep and cleanup on site to working at heights, using heavy machinery and many other things.
If you want a versatile and varied job that pays well and doesn’t require as much formal study as some other manual jobs, this could be right for you.