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Getting on in Construction Management

Without a doubt construction remains one of the most vibrant industries on the planet. Careers within construction can be very diverse. Some involve design, engineering and architecture, others actual building skills. Many qualifications are globally recognised, but if you plan to work overseas, check before you spend time studying.

Basically, there are three tiers of careers within the construction industry. The main on-site labour is often referred to as un-skilled or semi-skilled, primarily due to the lack of formal industry qualifications. Foremen and Site Managers are known as "Skilled", mainly due to the level of technical skills they're qualified and experienced in.

Then there remain those jobs relating to technical and management work. Usually the most technically qualified to work in this industry, these are generally the people who manage, plan and design the entire process.

There are plenty of resources to look at here, especially if want jobs or to train within this industry. Why not add this page to your Favourites by keying in CTRL-D for when you want to come back to them?

The Basis for Training in the Construction Sector

All skilled workers in Britain have to continue training after they've left school. Students can go through a college or by on-the-job training to get their required qualifications.

Between 2006 and 2007 over 9,000 apprenticeships in construction were allocated in the United Kingdom. By 2009 over 600,000 workers were involved in the construction industry with 10,000 more people going through training than two years previously.

Generally there are three divisions of construction accepted within the industry. One is in the domestic market, and the other two are in the commercial sector.

The first sector to look at is Building Construction. Essentially this is where extensions are built onto existing houses. Most of these renovations are relatively modest and fairly low key. Heavy/Civil Construction is essentially the domain of the medium-sized 'build-for-profit' companies. And lastly comes industrial construction which covers all the vast structures and developments in the country. Often the people behind these industrial construction projects are huge profit based companies.

As you go through the list from Building Construction to Industrial Construction, the size of the job increases massively. It's fair to say that as you go down from the large scale projects to the smaller one's the size of the budget involved also goes down from sometimes many millions of pounds to just a few hundred. Below you'll find a list of professional construction related careers and training requirements.

Civil Engineering

Not only do civil engineers need degrees but they also generally need them in quite specific subjects. A prestigious element issued by the Institution of Civil Engineers is that of the Chartered Engineer. New University Graduates however require a masters degree to acquire Chartered status. To reach Incorporated Engineer level you should have attained a Bachelor's Degree (BEng) first.

Building Engineer

Another engineering discipline needed in construction is Building Services Engineering. Building Services Engineers typically graduate with a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree. The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers welcomes members, and offers memberships from Affiliate through to Fellow depending on status.

Project Management

These professionals are generally holders of a two or three year higher education certificate or degree. They may also have experience in Civil Engineering.

Quantity Surveying

To become a surveyor, you must first qualify in an appropriate QS degree. More professional training (along with time spent in industry) can be gained from RICS, the industry body for standards and certifications.

Structural Engineer

Professional structural engineers make a significant contribution to the design of a built environment. The work is very exacting, as obviously high levels of safety and efficiency are prerequisites for structural engineers.

Architect

Twelve months practical experience follows the first degree, then a further two years on a second degree or diploma, with more practical experience and exams following that. Professional status is monitored and assessed in the UK by RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects.