Construction and built environment

The creation, running and demolition of buildings is accountable for around 40% of carbon emissions worldwide. As we decarbonise our built environment, the construction and built environment industry must adapt its processes to be more sustainable.

Civil Engineer Meg Scott is helping make the world a greener place

Meg, a graduate apprentice, has put her learning into practice after deciding against the traditional university route. Now, Meg is responsible for the development of signalised junctions, traffic calming measures and infrastructure design for sustainable travel.

Your prospects in a construction and built environment career

The construction sector currently accounts for 7.9% of Scottish employment. And this is expected to grow!

It’s estimated that work connected to net zero has the potential to create a further 22,500 construction jobs by 2028 throughout the UK. This makes construction one of Scotland’s target green industries today.

The construction and built environment industry is developing new approaches to powering and heating existing buildings to improve energy efficiency within them, including:

professional management roles
IT
marketing
skilled trades

There could be many roles your current skillset is suited to.

Homes and infrastructures

Around 15% of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from occupied homes. To meet net zero, we'll work to improve existing buildings before building new ones.

New homes and buildings will be designed with heat loss in mind. They’ll work to retain good air quality and heating supplied from renewable sources. Similarly, homes will be retrofitted to decarbonise them and improve energy efficiency.

The construction and built environment industry also creates our infrastructure – roads, railways and bridges. There are a wide range of planned infrastructure projects that will support the move to net zero, including improvements to both rails and roads.

Modern methods of construction

New methods of construction will be increasingly relied upon for both new and existing buildings. This involves constructing select elements of a building in a factory prior to its built – a more productive and cost-effective approach that will cause less harm to the environment.

Digitalisation

Digital tools are increasingly being used by the construction and built environment industry to improve productivity, safety and environmental impact. These include:

project management software
digital surveying and mapping equipment
3D modelling
health and safety compliance software
business management programmes

Technology is used at every stage of construction – Scotland needs skilled people who can work in these roles.

Construction and the circular economy

Construction and demolition is said to be responsible for around a third of waste in the EU. To become more sustainable, it’s essential we change the way we develop our built environment.

One key part is re-purposing existing buildings rather than demolishing them. Another important aspect is changing how we design new and refurbished buildings. This includes making best use of materials and minimising waste.

Offsite construction

Offsite construction is an eco-friendly method of manufacturing. Building components are made in a factory then transported and installed onsite. This approach contributes to the circular economy by saving resources and reusing materials.

Digital processes

Digital processes are also helping the industry become more green. Building Information Modelling (BIM) allows you to create virtual 3D models of buildings. This information drives material efficiency and reduces waste throughout a building’s lifetime.

Circular construction means workers need to have some digital skills and a knowledge of new building materials. Being able to work with data and software tools helps you build in a more green way. Skills around innovation and managing change are essential.

How to break into a construction and built environment career

Now, let’s look at what qualifications and skills you need to get involved with the construction and built environment industry.

Elementary and labouring

There are a wide range of elementary and labouring roles suitable for those starting in construction. Starting out in one of these roles may require you to complete a short course for entry.

Skilled trades

We mentioned before that 30% of construction employees are skilled construction and building tradespeople – such as electricians , plumbers or Joiners.

To learn a new trade you’ll likely need to complete an apprenticeship. Modern Apprenticeships are available to both young people and adults and involve learning on the job at the same time as gaining a qualification and bringing home a wage. Apprenticeships.scot have a wide range of opportunities for you to explore.

Professional

The construction sector is linked to professional roles too. These include:

architects
management specialists
chartered surveyors
construction-linked engineering roles such as civil and structural engineers
retrofit coordinators, designers and assessors

There are also opportunities in:

IT
data analytics
project management
human resources

Many of these professional roles require a degree-level qualification. There are pathways via Graduate Apprenticeships and full-time further or higher education courses.

Green courses in construction and built environment

Carbon Trust provides solutions to the climate crisis. In particular, they support businesses and organisations across the world to become more sustainable. Learn how construction businesses can accelerate their net zero journey.

The Construction Innovation Hub has lots of useful information on innovation and developments within the construction sector, including events - many of which are currently hosted online due to the pandemic.

Further information

For further information about the job roles and courses mentioned, including sub-sectors, visit Go Construct.

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