Skip to content
ESCO occupation

construction general contractor

Back to ESCO occupations

Construction general contractors take on the responsibility to deliver a construction project. They participate on bid processes for construction projects and hire subcontractors to deliver the different stages of the construction process from beginning to completion. They make sure subcontractors hold up their part of the agreement and work in the construction site to make sure the project is delivered in time and according to agreed standards.

1323.1.1 ISCO 1323 ESCO source
Competences
39
Groups
4
Essential
18
Optional
21

Competences and skills

39 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 4 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

2 competences
construction product regulation

Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.

ESCO source
green building practices

The practices involved in the design and creation of building structures in an environmentally responsible, cost effective and resource-effective way. Green building practices such as using eco-friendly construction materials complement classical building practices seeking a sustainable and high-performance building life cycle.

green
ESCO source

Cross-sector

2 competences
contract law

The field of legal principles that govern written agreements between parties concerning the exchange of goods or services, including contractual obligations and termination.

ESCO source
real estate market

The trends concerning the buying, selling, or renting of property, including the land, buildings, and natural resources encompassed within the property; the categories of residential properties and properties for business purposes which such properties are traded in.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 14 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

2 competences
identify customer objectives

Identify individual motives resulting in short, medium and long term fitness goals.

ESCO source
perform quality control of design during a run

Control and ensure the quality of design results during a run.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

12 competences
audit contractors

Examine and document different industry contractors, in order to determine whether they comply with regulations and standards in relation to safety, environment and quality of design, construction and testing, etc.

ESCO source
check construction compliance

Determine whether a construction complies with laws and regulations.

ESCO source
communicate with customers

Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.

ESCO source
coordinate construction activities

Coordinate the activities of several construction workers or crews to make sure they do not interfere with each other and to ensure that the works are done in a timely manner. Keep up to date on the progress of the teams and update the schedule if called for.

ESCO source
ensure compliance with construction project deadline

Plan, schedule and monitor the building processes in order to ensure completion of the project by the set deadline.

ESCO source
follow health and safety procedures in construction

Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.

green
ESCO source
keep records of work progress

Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.

ESCO source
manage contracts

Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes in line with any legal limitations.

ESCO source
monitor construction site

Keep an overview of what happens at the construction site at all times. Identify who is present and what stage of the construction work each crew is in.

ESCO source
monitor contractor performance

Manage contractor performance and assess whether they are meeting the agreed standard and correct underperformance if needed.

ESCO source
monitor parameters' compliance in construction projects

Monitors progress in construction sites and the compliance of various parameters outlined in the design phase such as quality, costs, timeline, and contractors' responsibilities.

ESCO source
read standard blueprints

Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.

ESCO source
Optional knowledge 11 competences

Occupation specific

1 competence
decommissioning

Expertise in removing things from active service or dismantling objects such as power plants, weapons and ships.

ESCO source

Sector-specific

5 competences
energy efficiency

Field of information concerning the reduction of the use of energy. It encompasses calculating the consumption of energy, providing certificates and support measures, saving energy by reducing the demand, encouraging efficient use of fossil fuels, and promoting the use of renewable energy.

green
ESCO source
envelope systems for buildings

The physical characteristics of envelope systems for buildings and their limitations. The heat transfer principle in the envelope systems.

green
ESCO source
project commissioning

Process of supervising the correct functioning of systems, buildings or plants during the final stages before deployment.

ESCO source
quantity surveying

The process of estimating, planning and monitoring the costs of construction for buildings within large construction projects. It means the efficient and effective utilisation of resources and includes aspects of risk analysis as well as tender evaluation and public procurement.

ESCO source
zero-energy building design

The design and building principle whereby the net amount of energy used by the building equals the amount of renewable energy created by the building itself. The concept refers to self-sustaining constructions.

green
ESCO source

Cross-sector

5 competences
building codes

The set of guidelines that determine the minimum standards for buildings and other constructions in order to protect public health and safety.

ESCO source
design principles

The elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.

ESCO source
energy performance of buildings

Factors that contribute to lower energy consumption of buildings. Building and renovation techniques used to achieve this. Legislation and procedures regarding energy performance of buildings.

green
ESCO source
quality assurance methodologies

Quality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.

ESCO source
renewable energy

The different types of energy sources which cannot be depleted, such as wind, solar, water, biomass, and biofuel energy. The different technologies used to implement these types of energy to an increasing degree, such as wind turbines, hydroelectric dams, photovoltaics, and concentrated solar power.

green
ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 10 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

2 competences
communicate with construction crews

Exchange information with the construction crews or supervisors to ensure smooth progress of the construction project. Obtain updates on the progress and any obstacles, and inform the crews of any changes in the schedule or procedures.

ESCO source
plan allocation of space

Plan best allocation and utilisation of space and resources, or re-organise current premises.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

8 competences
advise architects

Give advise on design, safety issues, and cost reduction to architects during the pre-application phase.

ESCO source
coordinate marketing plan actions

Manage the overview of the marketing actions such as the marketing planning, internal financial resource granting, advertising materials, implementation, control, and communication efforts.

ESCO source
inspect construction supplies

Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.

ESCO source
manage health and safety standards

Oversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company's health and safety programmes.

ESCO source
perform project management

Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific goal within a set time and budget.

research
ESCO source
plan shifts of employees

Plans shifts of employees to ensure completion of all customer orders and satisfactory completion of the production plan.

ESCO source
review construction projects

Review the documents and applications for building projects, discuss necessary changes with the contractors, and forward the documents to the building authorities if needed. Document any deviation from the original plans and inform the authorities.

ESCO source
use safety equipment in construction

Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.

ESCO source