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This week has been a very good news week for UK construction jobs with two significant announcements.

First the UK government revealed that investment in infrastructure could create up to 150,000 construction jobs in the UK. Secondly, Skanska, a major construction firm, said that they expect to generate around 1,500 new construction jobs over the course of the next two or three years.

The government said that investment in over 200 projects on road works, train networks, airports and other improvements to infrastructures would create tens of thousands of new jobs this year and in 2015.

Some of the big infrastructure projects which will make up many of the 150,000 new construction jobs include London’s Crossrail scheme, the Thameslink rail line, the Mersey Gateway Bridge and flood prevention and defence schemes at Exeter and Sheffield.

Speaking about the £36 billion infrastructure investments that were either already underway or due to get underway next year, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Ensuring Britain has first-class infrastructure is a crucial part of our long-term economic plan: supporting business, creating jobs and providing a better future for hardworking people.”

Over half of the investment money for the infrastructure projects is being stumped up by the private sector, but the state is also pumping in around £5 billion.

In the second big announcement on construction jobs this week, Skanska, a Swedish multinational construction firm, said that new contracts which it been awarded would lead to them taking on around 1,500 new staff before the end of 2017.

Again zeroing in on the importance of infrastructure improvements could drive new construction jobs in the country, chief executive officer for Skanska in the UK, Mike Putnam, said: “With more focus on infrastructure investment, we have seen our visible pipeline of new work growing strongly during the last nine months, giving us increased confidence about the future.”

The increase in the number of contracts which Skanska is working on will see them increase their staffing levels by close to 30 per cent from around 5,200 people to see them supporting almost 7,000 UK construction jobs.

“Having the right people, with the right skills, in the right numbers is a priority for us. We are accelerating our recruitment activity significantly across all our operations, to fill roles at all levels of the company and in many parts of the UK,” added Mr Putnam.

Construction jobs can be a rewarding way for students to make money on a temporary basis at any time of the year, but in the summer months when the weather is (sometimes) better, they are a great way to gain work experience, get fit and earn some money. For ideas for summer work for students who don’t fancy spending all of their time on the factory floor or in an office, check out our page of Summer Outdoor Jobs For Students.