Construction and engineering job activities

Construction and engineering job activities


Find out about typical activities in construction and engineering, including traditional building techniques.


Picture of a road sign
Video: Using maths on building site

A civil engineer explains how the use of mathematical calculations helps him carry out his job efficiently and economically.

Video download

Using maths on building site (17 MB)
Using maths on building site for iPod (3 MB)
Picture of an engineer
Video: Drilling a hole through a cube

An engineer explains the calculation required to drill a hole diagonally through a cube.

Video download

Drilling a hole through a cube (15.5 MB)
Drilling a hole through a cube for iPod (2.8 MB)
Picture of an apprentice engineer
Video: Developing good hand skills

An apprentice engineer explains the importance of developing good hand skills.

Video download

Developing good hand skills (10.9 MB)
Developing good hand skills for iPod (1.9 MB)
Picture of an engineer
Video: Cutting speed for steel

An engineer explains the mathematical formula used when calculating the cutting speed for steel.

Video download

Cutting speed for steel (9 MB)
Cutting speed for steel for iPod (1.6 MB)
Picture of an engineer
Video: CNC process

An engineer explains how computers are used to manufacture components.

Video download

CNC process (46.4 MB)
CNC process for iPod (8.3 MB)
Picture of an apprentice plumber
Video: Using scale drawings in plumbing

An example of the use of scale drawings in a practical context; in this case, the cutting of a pipe to the correct length.

Video download

Using scale drawings in plumbing (19.1 MB)
Using scale drawings in plumbing for iPod (3.4 MB)
Picture of a builder
Video: Creating a suspended ceiling

An illustration of the mathematical calculations required to created a suspended ceiling.

Video download

Creating a suspended ceiling (29 MB)
Creating a suspended ceiling for iPod (5.2 MB)
Picture of a builder
Video: Creating an external corner

A demonstration of the various stages in the creation of an external corner for a cladded building, illustrating the importance of accurate calculations and measurements.

Video download

Creating an external corner (106.3 MB)
Creating an external corner for iPod (19 MB)
Picture of a painter and decorator
Video: Apprentice painter and decorator

The role of an apprentice painter and decorator requires many skills and a lot of energy. Communication, maths and science are just some of the skills a painter uses to learn about the different types of paint and methods of decorating.

Video download

Apprentice painter and decorator (31.2 MB)
Apprentice painter and decorator for iPod (5.6 MB)
Picture of a trainee estimator
Video: Entering data into a spreadsheet

Information gathered from a plan created by an architect is entered into a spreadsheet so that costings can be ascertained.

Video download

Entering data into a spreadsheet (17.6 MB)
Entering data into a spreadsheet for iPod (3.1 MB)
Picture of a senior planner
Video: Calculating timescales in construction

A description of the processes used to calculate the amount of time required to complete a particular task in the construction industry; in this case, floor finishing.

Video download

Calculating timescales in construction (29.2 MB)
Calculating timescales in construction for iPod (5.2 MB)
Picture of a proposals leader
Video: Designing a conference leaflet

Find out what skills are required to design an information leaflet for a conference, from deciding on layout and colours to creating the final product using IT and specialist software.

Video download

Designing a conference leaflet (79.6 MB)
Designing a conference leaflet for iPod (14.2 MB)
Picture of a man on a building site
Video: Calculating payments to sub-contractors

An illustration of the methods used to check the work of subcontractors against invoices which they have submitted.

Video download

Calculating payments to sub-contractors (33.9 MB)
Calculating payments to sub-contractors for iPod (6 MB)
Picture of a stonemason
Video: Ornamental masonry

A stonemason working for Historic Scotland explains the working methods he uses to create ornamental masonry.

Video download

Ornamental masonry (31.9 MB)
Ornamental masonry for iPod (5.7 MB)
Picture of a traditional builder
Video: Repointing a wall

A demonstration of repointing a wall using lime mortar.

Video download

Repointing a wall (27.2 MB)
Repointing a wall for iPod (4.9 MB)
Picture of an apprentice stonemason
Video: Stone cutting

An apprentice stonemason working for Historic Scotland explains stone cutting and the equipment which he uses.

Video download

Stone cutting (40 MB)
Stone cutting for iPod (7.1 MB)
Picture of a joiner
Video: Timber frame construction

A demonstration of traditional timber building techniques of the kind used by Historic Scotland.

Video download

Timber frame construction (84.7 MB)
Timber frame construction for iPod (15.1 MB)
Picture of a stonemason
Video: Historic building styles and materials

A stonemason working for Historic Scotland explains how he approaches the task of matching building styles and materials from previous eras. He explains the practical application of a knowledge of geology.

Video download

Historic building styles and materials (22.8 MB)
Historic building styles and materials for iPod (4.1 MB)
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