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Construction and building trades supervisor

Construction and building trades supervisor - overview

Construction and building trades supervisors, sometimes called site managers, manage staff and oversee construction or maintenance activity on a building site. Read on to find out what working in this role is like, how your career might develop and what you’ll need to do to get a job.

Learn what the role involves below.

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What does a construction and building trades supervisor do?

Employment opportunities are varied in this role, and you could work on residential, industrial, environmental or commercial projects during your career. A range of employers will need your skills to deliver their projects and services, ranging from housing developers and trades companies to charities or government departments.

As a construction or building trades supervisor, you’ll be responsible for managing a building project, making sure everything is completed safely, on budget and on time. You might also supervise tradespeople and subcontractors. You’ll make key project decisions and oversee recruitment, training and staff safety.

What will your days involve?

Daily tasks will vary, but might involve:

  • Planning budgets
  • Hiring and supervising workers and subcontractors
  • Coordinating construction activity
  • Managing the construction site
  • Reporting to managers on how construction is going
  • Working out which staff are needed to finish the work
  • Developing schedules to make sure projects run productively and finish on time
  • Writing up reports

FAQs

How much can you earn as a construction or building trades supervisor?

The average salary for a construction or building trades supervisor in the UK is £42,120. Graduates start at around £38,500.

Does a construction or building trades supervisor role involve travel in the UK or overseas?

You might need to travel to different sites in your region for this role, or internationally in some cases depending on your employer.

Can you work from home as a construction or building trades supervisor?

You might be able to complete some administrative or managerial tasks from home, but you’ll typically be expected to be present on site or in an office.

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