The past 12 months or so has seen a lot belt tightening in the UK as the recession has hit many industries hard. Not everyone has had the benefit of government funding as was the case with the banking industry.

The construction industry has had more than its fair share of difficulties, but there is an alternative to working in the private sector. Local Government will always have to make large investment in land, property and buildings.

Building surveyors are called for in most local authorities across Britain as they take responsibility for maintenance, repair and improvement of all property owned by the council. Working in a local authority can be a useful stepping stone and will provide invaluable experience too, with salaries in the region of ?27,300 to ?29,000 or more depending on experience, qualifications and the location.

In fact a building surveyor job at a local council can lead to greater things for the ambitious employee. Additional qualifications and experience can lead to a rise up the ladder and of course makes an individual more marketable.

The next level up for a building surveyor at a local authority is a district building surveyor. Professional training also leads towards corporate membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). According to lgcareers.com, getting a building surveyor job at a local authority usually requires candidates to have at least one year?s experience of working within a building control office, and be proficient in the use of Microsoft office applications.