Prospects In Construction & Project Management

Currently construction is one of the leading industries in today's world. Careers within construction can be very diverse. Some involve design, engineering and architecture, others actual building skills. Naturally such diversity means there are various training paths leading to all the different roles.

Essentially there are three layers of profession within the industry.

First there are unskilled and semi skilled workers who have very little certification and represent the bulk of the on-site workforce. The next level is that of skilled labour and this refers to the Foremen and Managers who work on-site.

Lastly, there are the more senior technical structures and management roles. These are the people with the greatest educational qualifications (usually graduate degrees), trained to design, plan and manage the overall construction process.

When you want to consider your options you may want to refer to some of the training companies and links featured here, so make sure that you book-mark this page (Ctrl-D).

Construction Sectors & Training Frameworks

Further Education credentials (often involving vocational elements) are essential for skilled positions. These skills can either be gained through working apprenticeships or via one of the dedicated colleges. Between 2006 and 2007 over 9,000 apprenticeships in construction were allocated in the United Kingdom. In addition to the 613,000 or so people within the construction trades in the UK during 2009 another 18,000 students were assigned to training programmes.

It's widely recognised in the industry that there are three types of construction. One is in the domestic market, and the other two are in the commercial sector.

The first sector to look at is Building Construction. This is mainly concerned with extending existing property. Most of these renovations are relatively modest and fairly low key. Civil and Heavy Construction is the second type of construction between Building and Industrial. 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.

The Heavy/Civil and Industrial construction sectors primarily involve broader technical skills to finish each scheme. Without a doubt the costs of ventures increase from a few hundred pounds for small projects through to many millions of pounds for large industrial schemes. We can take a look at some of the professions that work in construction:

Civil Engineering

Civil engineers generally hold particular three or four year engineering degrees. In the UK, the Institute of Civil Engineers offers the Chartered Engineer accreditation programme as well. Typically graduates must hold qualifications such as the MEng in order to reach the chartered rank. However, anyone graduating with a Bachelors Degree can go on to become an Incorporated Engineer at that stage.

Architects

Architectural students must be prepared for a lengthy training process, which includes a university degree and post-grad study and work. The architect is actively involved throughout a whole project, from choosing the site to structure and landscaping completion.

Project Management

Many project managers come into the role through other engineering disciplines. With experience and on-going training in (e.g. in PMBOK or PRINCE 2) they can progress to very senior roles.

Quantity Surveying

Professional degree level qualifications are important in quantity surveying. Membership of RICS (the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) is for graduates who complete competence-based training and at least two years in industry.

Building Engineer

B S Engineers are also known as M and E Engineers. Building Services Engineers typically graduate with a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree. BS engineers can enhance their career prospects by joining their chartered institute. Membership at different levels is available for anyone studying or working in building services.

Structural Engineer

This type of work covers such areas as structural analysis, structural mechanics, foundation and structural design and material properties. There are various membership levels should you wish to join the Institute of Structural Engineers, which reflect the diversity of recognised academic qualifications around the world.