Trades / Construction

Labourer CV example (UK)

A UK construction labourer CV that shows your CSCS card, site safety, the work you've supported and that you turn up every day, ready to work.

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Example CV profile

Reliable construction labourer with [two] years' experience on [housing and commercial] sites. Holds a CSCS Labourer card, works safely around plant and at height, and keeps trades supplied so work doesn't stop. Fit, punctual and happy to work outdoors in all weathers, with [own transport and PPE].

Key skills to include (if true for you)

CSCS Labourer card (state the expiry date)
Site safety, PPE and following method statements
Manual handling and moving materials safely
Supporting trades: bricklayers, groundworkers, joiners
Digging, backfilling and preparing ground
Mixing mortar and concrete
Using hand and power tools safely
Loading out, unloading deliveries and keeping the site tidy
Own transport and reliable attendance

Example experience bullet points

Kept bricklayers supplied with bricks, blocks and mortar on a [40-home] new-build site, so work didn't stop waiting for materials.
Dug and backfilled trenches for drainage and services with the groundworks team, working to the site engineer's levels.
Mixed mortar and concrete to the required mix, and cleaned tools and mixers at the end of each shift.
Unloaded deliveries and stored materials safely, reporting damaged or missing items to the site manager.
Followed site inductions, method statements and permits, wearing the correct PPE at all times.
Kept walkways, scaffold access and welfare areas clear and tidy, supporting the site's safety inspections.
Turned up on time for [every] shift over [12] months, including early starts and weekend work when the programme needed it.

Illustrative only. Replace with your own real roles, dates and results — never copy experience you don't have.

Education & training

CSCS Labourer card – expires [month year]
Level 1 Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment (Scotland: SCQF Level 4) or a CSCS-approved alternative – [year]
CITB Health, safety and environment test (Operatives) – passed [year]
Any extra tickets you hold, e.g. PASMA, abrasive wheels or first aid – [year]

Keywords UK recruiters screen for

labourer · construction labourer · CSCS card · site safety · manual handling · PPE · groundworks · power tools · loading and unloading · own transport

Tips for a labourer CV

Put your CSCS card and its expiry date at the top. Many contractors and site managers insist on the right card for your occupation.
Name the type of sites (housing, commercial, refurbishment, civils) and the trades you've supported.
Show reliability: punctuality, attendance and being someone the site manager wants back on the next job.
List every ticket you genuinely hold, with dates. Don't list one that has expired as current.
Mention your own transport and PPE if you have them, because sites can be hard to reach.
Training for a trade? Say so. The Labourer card is for labouring roles only, so a different CSCS card may fit you better.

Labourer pay is usually hourly or daily, through an employer, an agency or self-employed. Check the advert for the rate, and GOV.UK for the National Minimum Wage rates for your age. Salary checker (ONS data).

Official sources and further reading

What site managers look for in a labourer

The National Careers Service lists construction labourer tasks such as marking out and digging trenches for foundations and drains, laying concrete, using machinery to lift and move building materials around a site and keeping tradespeople supplied with bricks, mortar and timber. Site managers and agencies usually want to see:

The right card. A valid CSCS Labourer card, plus any extra tickets.
Safety. Inductions, PPE, method statements, working around plant and at height.
Reliability. On site on time, every day, in all weathers.
Useful experience. The sites you've worked on and the trades you've supported.
Getting there. Own transport, if you have it, for early starts and remote sites.

Paste the advert into the free job ad keyword extractor to check which cards and tasks it asks for.

Your CSCS card on your CV

CSCS says many contractors and site managers insist on individuals holding the correct card for their occupation. For a Labourer card, CSCS asks for:

a pass in the CITB Health, safety and environment test, and
the Level 1 (Scotland Level 4) Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment, or a CSCS-approved alternative

CSCS also says the first Labourer card issued is valid for two years, and the card is for labouring roles only. Put the card type and expiry date at the top of your CV, for example "CSCS Labourer card, valid to [month year]".

Extra tickets worth listing

Only list tickets you hold, with the date:

first aid
PASMA (mobile towers) or IPAF (powered access)
abrasive wheels
asbestos awareness
traffic marshal or banksman training

If you operate plant such as dumpers or excavators, list the operator card and category. The National Careers Service notes that operating plant machinery needs a driving licence.

Labouring as a route into a trade

The National Careers Service says you could train on the job to be a qualified tradesperson or plant operator. If that's your plan, say so in your profile and name the trade. Then see the apprentice CV example, the carpenter and joiner CV example or the electrician CV example.

Check it before you send it

Run your CV through the free CV checker for a suggested fix on each issue, or start with the free CV builder. For a cover letter, the warehouse operative cover letter example is a good model for a hands-on role.

FAQs

What should a labourer CV include?

Your CSCS card and expiry date, other tickets, the types of site you've worked on, the trades you've supported, safety habits, reliability, and whether you have your own transport and PPE.

Do I need a CSCS card to work as a labourer?

Most sites expect one. CSCS says many contractors and site managers insist on individuals holding the correct card for their occupation. For the Labourer card, you need to pass the CITB health, safety and environment test and hold the Level 1 (Scotland Level 4) Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment or an approved alternative.

How do I write a labourer CV with no experience?

Lead with your CSCS card or the training you've booked, physical fitness and reliability. Use any manual work, such as warehouse shifts, landscaping, helping on a family building job, or sport that shows you turn up and work hard.

How long should a labourer CV be?

One page is usually enough. Put your cards and tickets first, then recent sites and what you did there.

Is the CSCS Labourer card the right card for me?

Only if you work in a labouring role. CSCS says the Labourer card is for unskilled workers only and must not be used by those in skilled occupations. If you're training for or working in a trade, there's a different card for that.

Applying in the US, Canada or Australia? Is a laborer resume different?

In the US and Canada it's a construction laborer or general laborer resume (US spelling). Australia uses construction labourer. The CSCS card is UK-only, so list the local safety cards for that country instead, such as the White Card in Australia.

Related examples

UK CV format · Skills to put on a CV · How to tailor your CV to a job description · Cover letter examples · All UK CV examples