Green careers are changing the construction career path

Here, Luke Smith, Managing Director at thermal performance measurement experts, Build Test Solutions, delves into some of these sustainability-focused roles and how we can encourage upskilling and interest in these areas.

What is a green job?

A green role helps create environmentally sustainable buildings and infrastructure.

Green construction jobs are changing the career pathways of new and existing construction workers as retrofit projects, sustainable new builds and low-carbon energy solutions increase in popularity across the UK.

The Green Careers Hub recently said: “Lots of people move into sustainability roles at different stages in their career, often completely switching sectors. The advice we often hear from professionals is to follow your passion.”

With 70% of construction projects now incorporating sustainability targets, according to the Sustainable Futures Report from NBS, this should come as no surprise.

As the industry shifts, there is an increased requirement and opportunity for people to move into roles that help assess the performance of a building from the design stages to the final performance reviews. These roles can include implementing energy-saving systems, reducing waste, assessing thermal performance, sustainable architecture, or ensuring airtightness in buildings to prevent energy loss – but the possibilities are endless.

What is particularly interesting is how the construction industry is changing and becoming much more technology-led. Building performance measurement is at an exciting intersection between construction and the built environment and technology and innovation. Gone are the days when working in construction was either a field-based, manual role or a head-office based role far removed from the realities of being out “on the job”. The tech sector now meets, and is firmly part of, construction. This opens up new possibilities for the next generation of workers who are looking for a career that bridges the gap between the building site and the board room, with innovative technology at its heart.

Getting into a green role

Many green career options aren’t widely known by the general public – but this is a necessary shift if the UK is set to meet its retrofit and net-zero targets and help bridge the skills gap in the wider construction industry.

Sustainable roles provide existing construction workers with the opportunity to upskill and find a competitive niche, such as building upon their role as an EPC assessor to upskill in thermal performance measurement. They might also consider expanding capabilities from a gas boiler installer to one that can also carry out heat pump installations.

People don’t need to have a career change to move into the green career space, just the willingness and passion to learn additional skills that complement their existing expertise.

The next generation of construction workers needs to understand what skills they naturally have and how their passions can help them succeed. If they enjoy maths and physics, or thrive upon interacting with people or hands-on activities, this could help shape the roles that they could be suitable for in the future.

There is a broad range of entry pathways, from apprenticeships and technical courses to university degrees focused on sustainable building practices, that can suit anyone’s requirements. There is lots of support across the industry, including industry schemes, such as the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), which provides grants and funding for young people to access courses and apprenticeships in sustainable practices.

Fundamentally, our industry needs to undergo a green career transformation. These roles provide us with an opportunity to contribute to environmental targets but also improve building quality. As demand for sustainable practices grows, careers in roles such as thermal performance, low-carbon heating solution installation and airtightness testing, will be critical in creating a resilient and sustainable built environment.

There are many potential green career opportunities that include measurement, including:

• Airtightness tester
• Building energy assessor
• Retrofit Coordinator
• Heat pump surveying and design
• Thermal performance engineer
• Indoor environmental quality specialist
• Building performance evaluator

Learn more about Green Careers Week and explore the latest innovations which are supporting these roles here www.buildtestsolutions.com

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