What impact could you make?
In years to come, you can look back and say you were part of that process that formed the towns and cities around you and the people you know.Daniel Building Standards Team Manager, City of Edinburgh Council
Construction and built environment at a glance
Scotland’s construction industry is transforming with digital tools, smart buildings and sustainable materials.
Building Information Modelling, modular construction and Internet of Things energy systems make projects faster, greener and more efficient. These will power us to build a smarter, low-carbon future.
Employment
As of October 2025, 190,000 people are working in construction in Scotland.
Future demand
Between 2025 and 2028, it's expected there will be 25,300 people needed to fill job openings in Scotland.
Job diversity
The Scottish construction industry has set up an action plan to improve diversity. It includes providing high-quality and fair work for everybody working in the sector.
Career insights from industry professionals
Create and build a greener society
We’ve pulled out some construction job profiles for you to explore.
Things you may not know about construction and built environment
Green building design is helping the planet by using solar panels, wind turbines, green roofs, recycled materials and low-carbon concrete.
Source: Zero Waste Scotland
It took 23,000 miles of cable to create the Queensferry Crossing – that's enough to stretch across the planet!
Source: Transport Scotland
You could use Virtual Reality (VR) tools in your construction career. It’s expected the use of digital tools will grow across the industry.
Source: Draw and Code
What subjects you could take in school
We've pulled together some examples of subjects and Foundation Apprenticeships (FAs) that could be useful for getting into a construction and built environment career.
English
Civil Engineering FA
Computing and IT
Design and Manufacture
Maths
Science
Design
Organisations making a difference
Discover some of the organisations within construction and built environment and how they’re making an impact in the industry.
Go Construct
Go Construct provides resources for anyone looking to build a career in the construction and built environment sector.
Visit Go Construct
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
CITB works to support the skills needed in the industry. They promote training which helps build a safe, professional and fully qualified workforce.
Visit CITB
Developing the Young Workforce (DYW)
DYW signpost to their key partners. This makes it easy for you to get the help and guidance you need to consider your next steps in construction.
Visit DYW
Open Doors - Get into Construction - Careers
Open Doors takes you behind the scenes to show the wide range of careers in construction. Find out about events across all types of construction sites, as well as training and manufacturing facilities, depots and offices, or online.
Open Doors - Careers
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Learn more about careers as a chartered surveyor. Using the latest technologies and data management tools, you'd provide solutions to issues like climate change, migration and urbanisation.
Visit RICS