Trades

Jobs are available for most skilled artisans as well as untrained workers. The work ranges from regular maintenance work to project work. Much of this maintenance work comes from the large buildings of the city financial district and the Docklands as well as light and medium industrial factories of the home counties. Much of the project work is allied to the construction industry.

This industry can be roughly spilt into 2 sectors

Large international construction firms and consultancies will sub-contract the plumbing, electrical and glass work out to smaller specialist firms. This large scale project work is currently in a very healthy state.

Private home renovations. The London property market has gone through the roof in the past year and this has lead a demand for properties in previously unfashionable areas such as Notting Hill and Hackney. Many of these houses have been neglected for years and require a top-to-toe renovation. Bring on the plumbers, carpenters, electricians and glaziers.

Qualifications/attributes

The relevant training certificate and experience.

Working hours

40 + hours per week. Project work deadlines can bring weekends and nights into the picture.

Positions available

• carpenters
• electricians
• plumbers
• shop fitters
• fitters & turners
• welders
• heating & combustion engineers
• refrigeration mechanics
• handy persons
• glaziers
• bricklayers

Engineering

There is a large scope for all types of engineering work from mechanical and civil engineers through to quantity surveyors, draught persons and architects. The main employers are generally local councils that conduct maintenance and upgrade work on roads and bridges in their burroughs and large international firms of consulting engineers who perform construction projects on an international scale. Also, quite a bit of the work will be out of London which will give you a chance to see a different part of England.

Most of that work supports the construction industry, but the UK also has large automotive and aeronautical industries. These industries support large and diverse spin-off industries in component design and manufacturing. This is where the mechanical and industrial engineers will find much of their. Much of this work will be out of London, in the home counties (still possible to live in London and commute) and in the Midlands.

Qualifications/attributes

The relevant B.Sc university degree or technical diploma plus at least a year's experience, preferably two. The engineering qualifications generally travel well.

Working hours

40-50 per week. Looming deadlines can increase this if you are involved with project work. Contracts can range from a month to a year.

Positions available

A full range of positions are available including:

• QS
• architects
• design engineers
• project engineers and managers
• maintenance engineers
• site personnel
• ACAD draughters

Pay

Temping is rare, mainly permanent positions on offer.

These obviously depend on qualifications and level of experience, but are a good guide.

For help in finding a job in this area contact the following