Everything you ever need to know about labourers

Everything you ever need to know about labourers

Introduction

On the food chain in a building site, labourers are right down there at the bottom.

They are responsible for the heavy lifting, loading and unloading, sweeping, cleaning, opening gates, closing gates.

How do you become a labourer?

All you need is to apply for a labourer CSCS card, go on a one day health and safety course, complete a simple health and safety test and you are good to go!

You can apply to building companies in your area for a position as a labourer and get work on building sites.

Is a labourer a good job?

Its a job. You provide your labour and you get paid in return.

Its a go nowhere position however unless you start an apprenticeship in a trade or upskill outside of work.

A lot of labourers work for a building company and never progress. Some transition into a trade and become plumbers, plasterers etc.

The position is what you make of it ?

Is it safe?

No, not really.

You are being paid to lift, to unload and load so there is a lot of wear and tear on your body.

I would not recommend this job to anyone.

Its worth doing it for a few weeks or a summer to get some funds together but really if you like construction you want to move into a better gig ASAP.

How much are labourers ?

Labourers getting essentially minimum wage.

But if they are good and can learn quickly then they can quickly double this wage as they prove useful.

For example, a bricklayer can hire a labourer to mix mortar and carry the bricks and blocks over to him. There is only so much value the labourer can bring to those roles. But if the labourer is diligent and reliable the bricklayer will pay more just to keep him rather than risk finding another decent worker.

Also, if there are not a lot of people looking for work in your area, you may find that there is a lot less people wanting to be labourers and so you will have to pay more for your labourer.