what is a labourer?
As a labourer, you perform manual work that requires physical strength and fitness. Your duties range from moving items in a warehouse to digging trenches on building sites. Most labourers are employed in the construction industry to do manual or physical work like laying foundations, bricklaying or plastering. You also assist tradespeople with various duties. For instance, you may assist a carpenter with window fitting tasks or help plumbers with repairs and maintenance tasks. Since you work in various trades, your role may involve handling dangerous materials like chemicals or asbestos.
Most labourer duties require you to follow instructions and perform simple tasks assigned by a supervisor. You are likely to operate hand tools to prepare job sites or building materials. Some roles also require operating heavy machinery. For instance, in warehouses, you move items using a forklift. That means you need skills in operating and maintaining forklifts. Labourers also clean work areas and tidy job sites at the end of the workday.
Some skills necessary for the role include high-level fitness and physical strength. Attention to detail and teamwork are also important for completing your tasks meticulously.
Would working as a labourer suit your teamwork skills and physical fitness? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a labourer role.
labourer jobsaverage salary of a labourer
According to ONS, the median compensation package for labourers in the UK is £22,245 per year or £11.50 per hour. The wages fluctuate based on experience and the complexity of tasks. Entry-level labourers cannot take up complex tasks and earn £21,225 annually, while experienced labourers take home £26,009 yearly.
Construction labourers have a slightly higher compensation package than experienced workers, earning up to £32,000 a year. General labourers usually earn lower hourly rates, while labourers with specialised skills like demolition or landscaping earn higher wages.
how to increase the salary of a labourer
As a labourer, your earnings depend on your transferrable skills. For instance, if you perform landscaping or demolition tasks, the complexity of the role attracts higher pay. Complex work like bricklaying and groundwork on construction sites improves your salary prospects. The hours you work also influence your compensation package, as full-time roles have higher hourly rates compared with part-time jobs. Working unconventional hours and overtime also boosts your earnings.
Your qualifications also influence your salary. While labourers don't require formal training, having post-secondary education makes a difference. Skilled labourers usually earn more than unskilled labourers.
types of labourers
A labourer is an all-round handyman. However, you can specialise in various fields and learn multiple skills. Some types of labourers include:
- construction labourer: as a construction labourer, you perform general manual work, including groundwork like marking and digging trenches for foundations. You also fix bars and steelwork to reinforce concrete structures. Sometimes, you move bricks, mortar and timber around the construction site.
- warehouse labourer: your job is to load and offload deliveries at the warehouse. You work alongside warehouse teams to ensure products are packaged and loaded onto delivery trucks on time. You also organise the warehouse to ensure products are correctly stored.
- general labourers: as a general labourer, you work in any industry and perform manual tasks assigned to you. General labourers usually work in manufacturing compani0es, retail stores and production plants. They assist in the production process by cleaning and clearing work sites.
working as a labourer
Working as a labourer can be a significant learning experience for those new to the construction industry. Lifting, moving, shovelling and cleaning are basic skills for all labourer roles. Read on to understand your job expectations and how to prepare for a successful career.
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labourer job description
The typical duties of a labourer include:
- checking equipment: you ensure the tools are operating, electricity is available, and machines are properly prepared for tasks. It's wise to think about your foreman's and contractor's needs ahead of time; this enables you to take steps that make everyone's work easier.
- preparing the construction site for work: you prepare the site by building scaffolding and temporary structures to enable access to the work. You also dig trenches, compact earth, and backfill holes to prepare foundations for construction work.
- assisting tradespeople: you assist construction workers and warehouse operatives with their work. For instance, you move bricks, timber, mortar, or warehouse items to the correct area. You also help with mixing mortar for bricklaying and performing simple construction work.
- operating and maintaining machinery: a labourer operates construction equipment and heavy machinery at the worksite. For instance, you use forklifts to move items to the required height and operate cement mixers at construction sites. After construction, you clean the equipment and check for any repairs or replacements required.
- maintaining safety at construction sites: you ensure the construction site is safe for the general public and other construction workers. You should move machinery and materials out of pathways to prevent accidents. You also clean the work sites and remove hazardous components.
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work environment
As a labourer, you can work in diverse industries, exposing you to various work environments. However, most labourers in construction work outdoors. That means you are exposed to extreme weather conditions, from cold to hot. Sometimes, you work in the winter to clear ice before a construction project commences.
In some industries, like factories, you work indoors in climate-controlled environments. Since you work in hazardous areas prone to accidents, you require a hard hat and other protective equipment. The role is hands-on and involves travelling from one job site to another. Therefore, you cannot work from home.
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who are your colleagues?
Typical labouring jobs are in the construction industry and warehouses. Your colleagues may include bricklayers, handymen, construction project managers and groundworkers. You can also work alongside demolition operatives and forklift drivers, as well as other specialists, including roofers, stonemasons and steeplejacks.
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work schedule
Labourers work four to six days a week, but some get weekends off, depending on the employer. Work shifts can be long, but there are breaks every couple of hours. Labourers who work for hourly wages often only work early mornings. If you are a labourer with a day-labouring agreement, you complete your entire workday before being paid. Remote work is impossible for labourers since the work is manual, and you should be present to offer your services.
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job outlook
Building contractors always need plumbing, lighting, concrete, woodwork and other work that needs manual labour. You can start as a general labourer at a construction site and improve your skills in other trades. For instance, you could attend training to become a machine operator, crane operator or forklift operator. You should also learn a construction trade like bricklaying or carpentry and enjoy better job prospects.
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advantages of finding a labourer job through randstad
Finding your labourer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a labourer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Some of the ways to become a labourer include:
- college course: if you want to become a general labourer, you don't require formal education. However, you need some post-secondary qualifications to work in construction. For instance, complete a Level 1 or 2 Certificate in construction skills or construction operations. The course requires two or fewer GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 and helps you get the Construction Skills Certification Scheme card to work on construction sites.
- apprenticeship: you may also pursue an apprenticeship programme in construction roles like groundworker. Intermediate apprenticeship programmes are also available for road surfacing operatives.
labourer skills and competencies
Apart from basic education, the following competencies are vital in the role:
- physical fitness: as a labourer, you should be physically fit and strong enough to handle manual tasks. You will lift heavy weights and stand or bend for long hours. Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination are also important for the role.
- teamwork skills: as a labourer, you work alongside a large team of construction workers, collaborating with others to accomplish your tasks on time. People skills improve your listening, which means you will be better at following instructions from supervisors.
- mechanical skills: as a labourer, you should have basic skills in using various machines at a construction site. Your expertise in using handheld devices and maintaining them makes your work easier.
- attention to detail: as a labourer, you should follow instructions keenly to avoid mistakes. Your detail-oriented skills help you improve work quality.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a labourer
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what do you do as a labourer?
As a labourer, you perform various manual tasks on building projects at construction sites. For instance, your job could include digging trenches or preparing job sites for building work by clearing the area and erecting scaffolding. You are also expected to operate machines, use power tools and clean heavy machinery.
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is a labourer a good job in the uk?
Being a labourer is a tough job with various challenges since the role involves a lot of manual work. However, it is a promising entry-level role with exciting career progression opportunities. The compensation package is promising and increases gradually.
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how much does a labourer earn a day in the uk?
Since labourers earn an hourly salary of £11.50, they are likely to take home between £100 and £200 daily. Emergency calls and working on complex projects usually attract higher hourly rates due to the expertise required to accomplish the tasks.
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do I need formal qualifications to be a labourer?
You don't require further education to become a labourer since you perform manual tasks at the instruction of the supervisor. However, in the UK, you need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme labourer card to work in construction. The card ascertains that you are familiar with safe work practices. Some apprenticeships also improve your salary prospects.
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what skills do labourers require?
As a labourer, you require manual dexterity, physical stamina and hand-eye coordination. Your role relies on physical fitness since you lift heavy materials and operate tools. Problem-solving and teamworking skills help you to excel in the role.
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how do I apply for a labourer vacancy?
Applying for a labourer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job labourer job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
