Construction Department workers play a vital role in determining the look of films: they are responsible for building, painting and plastering all the sets required for productions.  They work closely with the Art and Design Department to ensure that the Director's and the Production Designer's ideas are visually realised on sets. 

The Construction Department is overseen by the Construction Manager, who is responsible for ensuring that all the required work is completed to deadline, within budget, and to the specifications set by the Production Designer.  Once appointed, Construction Managers are responsible for hiring in the required number of Carpenters, Painters, Riggers and Plasterers, as well as for co-ordinating the purchase of all the necessary materials and tools.

In addition to excellent craft skills in their chosen field, members of the Construction Department must also have strong creative abilities.  They are often required to create structures in a specific period or historical style, or they may be required to 'distress' their work, so that it looks worn and lived in rather than brand new.  They must have an excellent working knowledge of all the materials available in their field, combined with highly developed technical skills, far in advance of those required by traditional domestic plasterers, painters, scaffolders or carpenters.

The majority of those working in the Construction Department are qualified trades persons in their specialist areas, and are likely to have worked for several years as domestic carpenters or painters before entering the film industry.  Skillset's Workforce Survey (2005) indicated that the production sector as a whole believes that there are a shortage of skilled recruits entering the film industry, and that the existing workforce is ageing.  In particular, it found that there were difficulties in recruiting suitably qualified individuals who are experienced in carpentry and fibrous plastering. 

New entrants can enter the film industry from the construction industry once they have achieved a Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) NVQ Level 1 and/or 2.  Alternatively, film employers recruit new entrants at 16 and offer full on the job training and, in some cases, day release to support the achievement of NVQs.   A key issue for the industry is the retention of skilled craftsmen: wages in non-film construction are improving, and maintaining a good work/life balance, which is difficult in the film industry because of its long, antisocial hours, is becoming increasingly more important.

Many of the Construction Department roles involve enormous Health and Safety responsibilities, e.g., Rigging has real 'life risks' attached, as it is often carried out while working at great heights.  Riggers must have considerable industry experience, as their work not only potentially endangers their own lives, but also the lives of the cast and crew with whom they are working.  Similarly, Plasterers, Painters and Carpenters often work with tools or materials that are potentially dangerous to health.  Consequently, detailed knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures is essential for many of the Construction Department roles. 

Key skills required by members of the Construction Department include good communication skills, the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines, excellent practical and technical skills, physical strength, stamina and agility, as well as the ability to work well as part of a team, or on their own initiative if required. Skillset's National Occupational Standards for Plasterers, Painters and Wood Occupations are the first source of information for anyone interested in pursuing these routes.

Occupations found in this area are detailed below: