What Does a Labourer Do? The Ins and Outs of This Trade Profession

What Does a Labourer Do? The Ins and Outs of This Trade Profession



What does a labourer do?

If you feel stuck in a dead-end job or simply aren’t enjoying your career anymore, then you’re likely to be weighing up your career options right now. Family members may encourage you to be a labourer if you’re a practical person, but do you often wonder ‘what is a labourer?’ and ‘what does a labourer do?’. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Find out if a career as a labourer is for you.

 

What is a labourer?

A labourer performs manual work which requires physical strength and fitness. Typically, a labourer carries out duties such as ground working, concreting and bricklaying; basically, a range of jobs that involve building construction.

To be able to effectively execute this type of hard, physical work, labourers must have the ability to follow instructions, both written and spoken, and work well as part of a team.

A labourer works mostly outdoors and works in an industry that’s predominantly male. In fact, according to UCATT, Women make up only 11% of the construction workforce and just 1% of workers on site. However, if you’re a female and you’re interested in becoming a labourer, don’t let this put you off.

 

What does a labourer do?

The main responsibilities include marking out and digging trenches, building foundations and walls, site clearance, as well as some carpentry. However, the job isn’t all physical. In addition to the manual labour, you’ll also need to complete the paperwork and planning that goes hand in hand with the job. You’ll need to:

  • Update schedules that detail tasks and whether they have been completed or not
  • Complete invoices for the employer
  • Order equipment and record whether it has arrived or has any malfunctions
  • Complete work sheets which document the number of hours that have been worked
  • Take measurements and make calculations
  • Record tally sheets and make log book entries to keep track of all activity on site

 

How much do labourers earn?

You can expect to start on approximately £15,000 as an apprentice or novice; however, this does depend on the demand for labour. A fully-qualified labourer can earn around £23,000 and an experienced labourer’s salary is typically around £30,000.

The beauty of being a labourer is that you have the option to earn more overtime, which can significantly increase your salary. If you choose to start your own business and work for yourself, you’ll be in charge of setting the daily rate and will have control over your annual income.

It’s worth knowing that if you’re unable to work due to weather conditions, most labourers will not be paid. This is why, generally, labourers are paid by the hour or day.

 

Train to be a labourer with Access Training

Now you know the answer to ‘what is a labourer?’, you’ll know if this sounds like the right career for you. If it does, then enrol onto one of our bricklaying courses today and start working towards a career as a labourer.

If bricklaying isn't what you had in mind, we also offer plumbing, electrical and gas apprenticeship programmes, all of which enable you to earn as you learn. Each of these courses also typically start with a standard site labourer role. As part of the role, you will work on site maintenance, setup and clearance, however your duties may vary depending on site location.

Click the link to learn more:

Access Apprenticeship Programmes

 

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