Working Hours And Contract Types For Construction Jobs

One of the questions we are most often asked by people looking for trades, construction and engineering jobs is the difference between the types of contract available.

We recruit for both permanent and temporary jobs across a range of hours, so have drawn up a brief guide to the ways you may find work via Kalcrest.

Temporary jobs

Among the areas we specialise in is temporary jobs for the construction sector. You may also hear these positions described as freelance or contract work.

The nature of the industry means companies require people with specific skills at different stages of their projects, but do not need them on a permanent basis. To fill that skills gap, they turn to Kalcrest to supply experienced workers on a short-term basis.

The assignments can last anywhere from a few days to many months, during which time you will be paid by Kalcrest at either an hourly rate or a day rate agreed before starting work. Most temporary construction jobs have full-time hours, but there are also opportunities to work part-time hours available.

Permanent jobs

If you are hired for a permanent job, you will work directly for the employer on an ongoing basis and be given a contract by that company stating your hours, salary and holiday entitlement. While Kalcrest may be involved in putting your CV forward for the job and arranging the interview, you will never actually work for us.

One other thing to remember is that while most permanent jobs are full-time, there are also plenty of permanent positions available with part-time hours.

Full-time or part-time?

A misconception we come across quite often is the idea that the terms permanent and temporary somehow relate to the number of hours a week worked. That isn’t the case.

A full-time job is one that generally involves working 35 to 40 hours a week spread across five days (although shift patterns can vary). Both permanent and temporary construction jobs are available with full-time hours.

Part-time jobs have fewer hours each week. They can involve either a much shorter working day or only working for two or three days each week, with the pattern designed to suit both the company and the worker. It is possible to find either a permanent position or a temporary job with part-time hours.

If you have any questions about the types of role we have available, please contact us or take a look at our current jobs.