Find your route
Pick where you are from and where you want to work, and see the checks, documents and authorities for that route.
Find your route →What common blue-collar roles involve, sector by sector: a typical day, what employers look for, interview questions and how each role can grow. These are general descriptions, not job postings: employers set the duties, pay and requirements for each contract.
Installs and fits doors, frames, skirting, cabinetry and fixtures to a high finish.
Read the role →Builds, erects and strips the temporary timber or metal moulds that shape poured concrete.
Read the role →Leads a crew on site, plans daily work and keeps quality, safety and progress on track.
Read the role →Provides general site support: moving materials, cleaning and assisting skilled trades.
Read the role →Operates excavators, loaders, cranes or similar plant to move materials and support construction works.
Read the role →Builds and repairs walls and structures with bricks, blocks and stone, working to line and level.
Read the role →Assembles, installs and maintains mechanical equipment and structures on construction and plant sites.
Read the role →Prepares surfaces and applies paint and coatings to interior and exterior building areas.
Read the role →Applies plaster and render to walls and ceilings to produce smooth, durable finishes.
Read the role →Erects, alters and dismantles scaffolding so other trades can work safely at height.
Read the role →Cuts, bends and ties steel reinforcement bars into place so concrete structures are built to drawing.
Read the role →Lays ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles on floors and walls with accurate alignment and finish.
Read the role →Maintains and repairs the electrical systems of a building.
Read the role →Cleans offices, malls and public areas to a consistent standard.
Read the role →Coordinates the cleaning, maintenance and support staff for a building or site.
Read the role →Maintains lawns, gardens and outdoor areas.
Read the role →Leads a cleaning team and inspects work to keep standards consistent.
Read the role →Installs, services and repairs heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
Read the role →Carries out routine repairs and preventive maintenance across a building.
Read the role →Inspects for and treats pests in buildings and outdoor areas.
Read the role →Maintains and repairs water supply, drainage and sanitary systems.
Read the role →Keeps swimming pools clean, safe and ready for use.
Read the role →Provides personal care and daily living support to elderly or disabled clients at home or in a residence.
Read the role →Supports the dentist chairside and keeps the surgery clean and organised.
Read the role →Supports residents in care homes with daily living, activities and comfort.
Read the role →Supports ward operations with non-clinical tasks so clinical staff can focus on patient care.
Read the role →Supports laboratory staff with sample handling, preparation and housekeeping.
Read the role →Provides administrative and basic clinical support in a clinic or outpatient setting.
Read the role →Helps nurses and care teams with daily patient care and comfort under clinical supervision.
Read the role →Moves patients, equipment and supplies safely around a healthcare facility.
Read the role →Supports the pharmacist with dispensing preparation, stock and customer service.
Read the role →Assists physiotherapists in delivering exercise and rehabilitation programmes.
Read the role →Prepares coffee and other beverages and serves customers in cafes and hotel outlets.
Read the role →Prepares and serves drinks and provides friendly service at the bar.
Read the role →Runs one section of the kitchen and prepares dishes to the head chef's standard.
Read the role →Supports the kitchen brigade with preparation and basic cooking under a senior chef.
Read the role →Helps guests with information, arrangements and requests throughout their stay.
Read the role →Leads the service team on the floor and ensures guests receive consistent, high-quality service.
Read the role →Welcomes guests, handles check-in and check-out and answers guest requests.
Read the role →Cleans and prepares guest rooms to the hotel's standard.
Read the role →Keeps dishes, utensils and kitchen areas clean so service runs smoothly.
Read the role →Helps prepare breads, pastries and desserts in a hotel or bakery kitchen.
Read the role →Serves guests in restaurants and dining areas with friendly, accurate and timely service.
Read the role →Controls entry to a site, checking people and vehicles.
Read the role →Monitors camera systems and reports suspicious activity or incidents.
Read the role →Supports a protection team with logistics, route planning and client escort support.
Read the role →Provides crowd-safety and access control at events and venues.
Read the role →Supports site fire safety by monitoring, checking equipment and assisting during emergencies.
Read the role →Protects retail stock by monitoring floor activity and supporting store staff.
Read the role →Carries out patrols of premises and reports irregularities.
Read the role →Combines front-desk welcome with building security duties.
Read the role →Protects people, property and premises by patrolling, monitoring access and responding to incidents.
Read the role →Leads guards on a site, schedules shifts and handles incidents.
Read the role →Diagnoses, services and repairs cars and light vehicles.
Read the role →Sets up and operates CNC machinery to produce metal or other parts to tolerance.
Read the role →Supports lifting operations by rigging loads and signalling.
Read the role →Services and repairs trucks, buses and heavy equipment.
Read the role →Installs and tests wiring, containment and electrical equipment in buildings.
Read the role →Maintains and repairs electrical systems in plants, factories and industrial sites.
Read the role →Fabricates and installs piping systems from drawings.
Read the role →Installs water supply and drainage systems in buildings.
Read the role →Fabricates and installs sheet-metal components such as ducting and enclosures.
Read the role →Installs and connects solar panels and supporting equipment.
Read the role →Joins metal components by welding to drawings and quality requirements.
Read the role →Handles chilled and frozen goods in temperature-controlled warehouses.
Read the role →Delivers goods to customers on time and in good condition.
Read the role →Coordinates drivers, orders and deliveries to keep shipments moving.
Read the role →Operates forklifts to move, load and stack pallets safely.
Read the role →Loads and unloads trucks and containers.
Read the role →Packs goods securely for storage or shipment.
Read the role →Processes inbound and outbound shipments and their paperwork.
Read the role →Receives, stores and records stock and keeps inventory accurate.
Read the role →Drives heavy goods vehicles to transport freight safely and on schedule.
Read the role →Picks, checks and moves goods to fulfil orders accurately.
Read the role →Runs the warehouse team and oversees safe, accurate stock handling.
Read the role →Pick where you are from and where you want to work, and see the checks, documents and authorities for that route.
Find your route →Follow a fictional candidate from registration to placement, and see what an employer is allowed to see.
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