In the UK’s labour market, unskilled jobs play a pivotal role in supporting various industries and contributing to the nation’s economic growth. These roles, often characterised by tasks that do not require specialised training or formal education, encompass a wide range of occupations, from retail and hospitality to agriculture and construction.
While unskilled positions may not demand specific qualifications, they offer valuable entry points for individuals seeking employment, career transitions, or opportunities to gain practical experience.
This post aims to shed light on the landscape of unskilled jobs in the UK, providing a comprehensive overview of the available unskilled jobs, their significance, challenges, potential for personal and professional growth, and how to apply for these jobs.
By understanding the dynamics of unskilled jobs, individuals can make informed decisions about career paths. We will delve into various aspects of unskilled employment, including the industries that heavily rely on this labour force, the typical job roles and responsibilities, as well as the prevailing wage ranges and employment conditions.
1. Truck Driver
Average Salary: £40,298 per year A truck driver’s primary role is to safely operate commercial vehicles, ensuring cargo is loaded securely. They plan efficient routes, perform vehicle maintenance, and adhere to legal and safety regulations. Drivers keep records of their activities, communicate with dispatchers and customers, and prioritise customer service. Physical endurance, adaptability, and professionalism are key traits for this role. Overall, safety, compliance, and efficiency are top priorities for truck drivers.
2. Security Guard
Average Salary: £30,000–£45,000 per year Security guards are responsible for maintaining the safety and security of properties and people. They patrol areas, monitor security systems, and respond to emergencies. A college degree is not required to become a security guard in the UK. While no formal education is required, completing a security guard training program is usually necessary to obtain a security guard license. These programs typically take a few weeks to complete and cover topics like emergency procedures, use of force, and first aid. Additionally, having excellent observation and communication skills is crucial for success in this profession.
3. Construction Worker
Average Salary: £35,000–£55,000 per year Construction workers assist in the construction and maintenance of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure projects. Their tasks may include operating machinery, transporting materials, and performing general labour. Physical fitness and the ability to work in various weather conditions are crucial for success in this role. Familiarise yourself with construction safety procedures and the use of basic hand and power tools. Some employers may provide on-the-job training, but having prior experience in construction or a related field can be beneficial.
4. Hotel Receptionist
Average Salary: £15,298 per year Working as a hotel receptionist in the UK can be a great option for those looking for a zero-qualification job abroad. With an average annual salary of £15,298, hotel receptionists assist guests with check-ins and check-outs, provide information about hotel amenities, and handle various customer queries. While some hotels may require knowledge of the local language, many establishments value effective communication in English, making it accessible for international job seekers.
5. Fruit Pickers
Average Salary: £29 per hour The UK is currently facing a labour shortage, particularly in the fruit-picking sector. As a result, fruit pickers can earn an average salary of £29 per hour, making it a lucrative option for those seeking seasonal work. To work as a fruit picker in the UK, foreign nationals can apply for a special visa introduced by the British government. This job provides an opportunity to work outdoors, performing physical tasks such as harvesting crops and tending to fruit trees.
6. Server
Average Salary: £22,174 per year Servers in the UK, commonly found in cafes and restaurants catering to tourists or English-speaking customers, can earn an average salary of £22,174 per year. The role of a server involves taking orders, serving food and drinks, and ensuring the overall satisfaction of customers. While knowing the local language can be beneficial, effective communication skills in English are often sufficient to secure such positions.
7. Nanny Jobs
Average Salary: £14 per hour The demand for nannies in the UK has increased due to various factors, including the pandemic and the cost of childcare services. Nannies can earn an average salary of £14 per hour while providing essential childcare services to families. While a degree is not required for this role, having a genuine love for children and basic childcare skills can be advantageous.
8. Hotel Housekeeper
Average Salary: £23,426 per year Working as a hotel housekeeper in the UK can be a rewarding career choice, with an average annual salary of £23,426. Hotel housekeepers are responsible for maintaining cleanliness and tidiness in hotel rooms and common areas. Duties may include vacuuming, changing bed sheets, dusting surfaces, mopping floors, and sanitising bathrooms. English language proficiency is often sufficient for this role, and some hotels may not require formal qualifications beyond completion of school.
9. Farmhand
Average Salary: £27,316 per year For those who enjoy working outdoors and with their hands, becoming a farmhand in the UK can be an appealing option. Farmhands, also known as farm labourers, earn an average salary of £27,316 per year. Their tasks typically include picking fruit, harvesting crops, feeding livestock, and assisting with farm maintenance. Some knowledge of the local language may be helpful for effective communication with other farm workers and supervisors.
10. Cleaner
Average Salary: £10.20 per hour The cleaning service industry in the UK is experiencing growth, with a projected 5.7% increase in 2023. Cleaners can earn an average salary of £10.20 per hour, and formal training or a degree is not required for this job. Cleaners play a crucial role in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in various settings, including commercial establishments, offices, and residential properties. Diligence and attention to detail are essential qualities for successful cleaners.
Where To Apply For Jobs In UK
Keep in mind that you need to secure these jobs first from eligible employers before proceeding to apply for a UK visa. That said, finding these zero to no-qualification jobs requires a slight search and there are legitimate platforms to do so below.
1. Indeed
No list of best job sites in Canada would be complete without this entry. In addition to employer-posted jobs, Indeed aggregates postings from across the web — including from company career pages and professional associations — and allows you to search locally or globally. Indeed hosts more than 150 million resumes and claims that 10 new jobs are added to its site every second, globally. Free resources for job seekers include a resume builder tool and career blog.
2. CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder has two big points in its favour: Size and longevity, as it’s one of the biggest and longest-lived job site on the internet. Its robust search function allows you to filter by several criteria, including location, job title and pay range. The site uses Google AI to help match job seekers with suitable opportunities and provides career advice and resources for job candidates. For employers, monthly subscription plans can aid in candidate searches with targeted recruitment emails, candidate management tools and more.
3. LinkedIn
This top networking site allows you to find jobs not only through direct employer listings, but also through communication with your extended network. Your profile serves as your resume, and you can easily find and share career-related content, dive deep into thought leadership posts from prominent people in your field and solicit or supply recommendations. Additionally, industry groups allow you to participate in professional discussions and follow companies you find interesting — and relevant to your job search. Premium paid features offer more advanced search functions and services.
4. Eluta
Eluta is a search engine that features job postings in Canada from more than 10,000 employers’ websites. Eluta provides links back to the original employers’ job postings. Candidates can sign up for email alerts that notify them of new jobs that match their search criteria.
5. Jobboom
Jobboom is Quebec’s largest job site and offers services in both official languages. This website allows candidates to post their resumes on the site and apply for jobs directly or reply to job offer broadcasts, which are sent instantly via e-mail to selected applicants. Jobboom also offers career guidance, as well as articles on topics such as self-learning, market trends and hot career paths.
6. Glassdoor
Glassdoor lets you search for jobs and allows people to review companies they’ve worked for and share salary and benefits info, giving insight that job seekers wouldn’t otherwise know. Professionals who have interviewed with a company can also give details on the business’s recruiting processes. While all this information should be taken with a grain of salt, it can be quite revealing. On the hiring side, Glassdoor allows employers to identify job candidates and market their companies to job seekers.
8. Monster
This large job site was one of the first commercial websites, period, in addition to being the first major job search site. It offers services including resume uploads, networking boards, company profiles, a resume review service and a mobile app in more than 40 countries. The site also scores your potential fit with a role based on your skills and interests.
9. Simply Hired
SimplyHired is a job search site that collects listings from all over the web, including company career pages, job boards and niche job websites. The company reports that it lists job openings from 700,000 unique employers and operates job search engines in 24 countries and 12 languages. Employers might want to note that the site sends your job posting to over 100 job boards for increased visibility.
10. Google for Jobs
Google for Jobs aggregates job listings from sites across the web, including several of the ones listed in this post. Use it just like you use Google, and from the same main search page. Search for key phrases like “accounting jobs” to get a list of available positions. Results also show company ratings and salary info for the position, if available. If something catches your eye, click a button that reads, for example, “Apply on LinkedIn” to go directly to the source of the job listing and apply. One key benefit of Google for Jobs is that it eliminates redundant results and displays only one listing for each open position.
11. ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter began as a tool for small businesses to post job listings affordably. It’s now an online employment marketplace that uses AI to connect businesses of all sizes with job seekers through mobile, web and email services. Use ZipRecruiter’s mobile app to browse and apply to jobs and get notified as soon as your application has been viewed. The company has partnerships with several leading job boards.
12. Ladders
This site focuses on job openings for senior-level professionals, executives and those who are aiming for upper-management positions. Candidates seeking jobs paying an annual salary of $100,000 or more can gain access to vetted openings after they’ve paid a subscription fee.
How To Apply For Unskilled Jobs In Canada
To improve your chances when you’re looking for a new job, make sure your resume is polished and professional. Your resume and your profiles on career websites are marketing collateral for a very important enterprise: your career.
You’d be smart to register and set up alerts with more than one site, since each offers a slightly different experience and list of benefits. A talent solutions firm like Robert Half may be valuable as your first stop, as we have not only matching software and AI but also real people — our highly experienced recruiters — working on your behalf while you get set up on other sites.
And don’t neglect other methods for finding jobs, such as in-person networking events, reaching out to former coworkers, job fairs and more. Good luck!
What Next After Landing A Job In UK?
Getting a suitable job offer from an eligible British employer is a significant milestone towards Migrating to the Canada to work and live.
However, that’s not all it takes, after the job offer below are the summarised steps you must take to migrate to Canada.
1. Find the correct visa type:
Explore various visa options based on your skills and work requirements. Common options include an Innovator visa, a Skilled-worker visa, and an International sportsperson visa.
2. Apply for the visa:
Prepare the necessary documents for your chosen visa type. Submit the visa application at a local representative office. The processing time can vary.
3. Move to UK:
If the application is successful, you will receive a decision and a vignette sticker on your passport. Collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) upon arrival (if applied outside UK). BRP serves as proof of your right to live and work in the Canada.
Conclusion Unskilled jobs in the UK offer opportunities for individuals to contribute to the economy and achieve their career goals. With the right knowledge, effort, and determination, finding an unskilled job in the UK can lead to a positive and rewarding experience.
