Jobs eligible for sponsorship in the construction sector
Jobs eligible for sponsorship in the construction sector
The construction industry is currently experiencing a significant shortage in skills, especially in bricklayers and carpenters, roofers, and plumbers.
The reasons for this vary and can be due to the:
- Post-Brexit era: Many EU workers returned to their home countries during pandemics with no intention of coming back to the UK
- UK construction workforce aging, with over 20% of tradespeople being over 50 and 15% being in their 60s, and
- Same percentage of young people not entering these professions to replace those who are retiring because young people are simply not choosing a career in construction
Housing becomes extremely scarce and this shortage compounds the problem against the background of a growing population, increased recruitment costs, the rising cost of materials, and inflated salaries.
What is the solution?
Becoming a sponsor is a good way to attract foreign workers to the UK, be competitive in the construction market, and boost business growth.
The construction industry is the cornerstone of the UK economy and is a crucial component. It covers careers in architectural design, engineering, and project management, along with on-site trades. And these roles require specialist skills—whether it’s the designing of a building or the construction of it.
What construction jobs are eligible for sponsorship?
Once you become a sponsor you can hire migrant workers to the following positions:
| Occupation code | Job titles | |
|---|---|---|
| 1122 | Production managers and directors in construction | Building Services manager Construction manager Director (building construction) Owner (electrical contracting) |
| 2121 | Civil engineers | Building engineer Civil engineer (professional) Highways engineer Petroleum engineer Public health engineer Site engineer Structural engineer |
| 2431 | Architects | Architect Architectural consultant Chartered architect Landscape architect |
| 2432 | Town planning officers | Planning officer (local government: building and contracting) Town planner Town planning consultant |
| 2433 | Quantity surveyors | Quantity surveyor Surveyor (quantity surveying) |
| 2434 | Chartered surveyors | Building surveyor Chartered surveyor Hydrographic surveyor Land surveyor |
| 2435 | Chartered architectural technologists | Architectural technologist |
| 2436 | Construction project managers and related professionals | Contract manager (building construction) Project manager (building construction) Transport planner |
| 3112 | Electrical and electronics technicians | Avionics technician Electrical technician Electronics technician Installation engineer (electricity supplier) |
| 3114 | Building and civil engineering technicians | Building services consultant Civil engineering technician Survey technician Technical assistant (civil engineering) |
| 3121 | Architectural and town planning technicians | Architectural assistant Architectural technician Construction planner Planning enforcement officer |
| 3122 | Draughtspersons | CAD operator Cartographer Design technician Draughtsman |
| 3565 | Inspectors of standards and regulations | Building inspector Driving examiner Housing inspector Meat hygiene inspector Trading standards officer |
| 3567 | Health and safety officers | Fire protection engineer (professional) Health and safety officer Occupational hygienist Safety consultant Safety officer |
| 5215 | Welding trades only high integrity pipe welders, where the job requires 3 or more years’ related on-the-job experience. This experience must not have been gained through illegal working. | Fabricator-welder Fitter-welder Spot welder (metal) Welder Welding technician |
| 5223 | Metal working production and maintenance fitters | Agricultural engineer Bench fitter Engineering machinist Fabricator Installation engineer Maintenance fitter Mechanical engineer |
| 5312 | Bricklayers and masons | Bricklayer Dry stone waller Stone mason |
| 5313 | Roofers, roof tilers and slaters | Mastic asphalt spreader Roof tiler Roofer Roofing contractor Slater Thatcher |
| 5314 | Plumbers and heating and ventilating engineers | Gas engineer Gas service engineer Heating and ventilating engineer Heating engineer Plumber Plumbing and heating engineer |
| 5315 | Carpenters and joiners | Carpenter Carpenter and joiner Joiner Kitchen fitter Shop fitter |
| 5316 | Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters | Glass Cutter Glazier Installer (double glazing) Window fabricator Window fitter |
| 5319 | Construction and building trades not elsewhere classified | Acoustician Builder Building contractor Fencer Maintenance manager (buildings and other structures) Property developer (building construction) |
| 5321 | Plasterers | Fibrous plasterer Plasterer Plastering contractor |
| 5322 | Floorers and wall tilers | Carpet fitter Ceramic tiler Flooring contractor Mosaic floor layer |
| 5323 | Painters and decorators | Artexer French polisher Paper hanger Ship sprayer Wood stainer |
| 5330 | Construction and building trades supervisors | Builder’s foreman Construction foreman Construction supervisor Maintenance supervisor Site foreman |
Some of the jobs are in the shortage occupation list. This means the visa fees will be slightly reduced for the applicants planning to fill in such positions:
- 2121 – Civil engineers
- 2431 – Architects
- 5215 – Welding trades
It should be noted that some construction jobs are not eligible for sponsorship, they are:
| Occupation code | Job titles | |
|---|---|---|
| 8149 | Construction operatives N.E.C. | Asbestos remover Cable layer Demolition worker Dry liner General handyman Maintenance man Thermal insulation engineer |
| 8221 | Crane drivers | Crane driver Crane operator Haulage engine driver Winchman |
| 8229 | Mobile machine drivers and operatives N.E.C. | Digger driver Dredger Excavator driver JCB driver Plant operator Rig operator |
| 9120 | Elementary construction occupations | Electrician’s mate (building construction) Ground worker (building construction) Hod carrier Labourer (building construction) |
If you are a trading construction company legally operating in the UK, please contact us for more information on how to become a registered sponsor.
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