Construction Team Leader

How to become a construction team leader

There are several routes to becoming a construction team leader. You could do a university or college course, an apprenticeship or apply directly to an employer for work.

You should explore these routes to becoming a construction team leader, to find out which is the right one for you. Although some of these options have certain qualification requirements, many employers are more interested in people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn and can follow instructions.

You may need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card to work on a construction site.

University

Whilst it’s not an essential qualification, you could become a construction team leader or manager in the industry, if you hold a construction-related undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Equivalent entry requirements explained
• Find a university course
• Funding advice

College/training provider

There are no set qualifications required to become a construction team leader or manager, but you will be required to have a good level of experience in your area of work, and GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades A* to C or levels 4 to 9 in maths and English can be beneficial.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Equivalent entry requirements explained
• Find a course near you
• Funding advice

Apprenticeship

You could complete an advanced apprenticeship to become a construction team leader, or a higher apprenticeship to move into management.

An apprenticeship with a construction company is a good way into the industry.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16. As an apprentice, you’ll be fully employed by your company and expected to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Your time will be split between on-the-job experience and a college or training provider.

Find out what the entry requirements are where you live.

• Find an apprenticeship near you
• Guide to apprenticeships

Work

If you have some basic experience, you could apply directly to a construction company to gain onsite experience as a construction team leader. You might start out as an assistant to a more experienced team leader and progress as your abilities improve.

Alternatively, you could apply for a promotion within your company, or progress to a more senior role by completing in-house management training.

Work experience

Work experience is essential to gaining employment within the construction industry. You could gain this at school, or by working weekends and holidays with a company or relative who works as a construction team leader. Potential employers will always be pleased to see work experience listed on your CV.

• Find out more about work experience

Skills

Additional skills which may benefit anyone considering a job as a construction team leader include:

• Great attention to detail
• Understanding of construction projects
• Team working skills
• Leadership skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Problem-solving skills and good initiative.

Qualifications

What does a construction team leader do?

As a construction team leader, you will be responsible for the work carried out by your team. Duties may include planning workloads and delegating tasks to your colleagues. You may also be required to carry out practical tasks alongside your team, day-to-day.

The role of a construction team leader may involve the following duties: 

How much could you earn as a construction team leader?

The expected salary for a construction team leader varies as you become more experienced.

• Newly trained construction team leaders can earn £19,000 - £25,000
• Construction team leaders with some experience can earn £25,000 - £35,000
• Senior construction team leaders can earn £35,000 - £45,000*
• Self-employed construction team leaders set their own pay rates.

Hours and salary depend on location, employer and any overtime you may do.

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources and have been updated as of 2019

* Salaries have been collected from multiple industry sources

Check out the latest construction team leader vacancies:

• Indeed
• Glassdoor

As these are external websites, the number of vacancies related to your preferred role may vary. New opportunities will be posted as they come up.

Career path and progression

As a construction team leader, you could progress into a role as a manager, or senior manager and take on greater responsibility and oversight of construction projects.