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Construction Careers & Civil Engineering Courses

Currently construction is one of the leading industries in today's world. Modern construction utilises Planning, Architecture, Health and Safety and Green Engineering in its workflow as well as actual Building skill-sets. With so much choice within the industry, the right qualifications are now very important.

Choices for careers within Construction fundamentally span 3 skill levels. "Unskilled" and "Semi-Skilled" workers have little or no formal credentials, but generally make up 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. Then there remain those jobs relating to technical and management work. These people have trained to design and/or manage the overall process and as such are the most qualified within their field.

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How To Train In The Construction Sector

All skilled workers in Britain have to continue training after they've left school. Most trainees gain their skills through a combination of technical college training and work experience. Throughout the UK, 8,500 construction-related apprenticeships were started in 2007. As of last year, there were over 600,000 people employed throughout the construction industry with 18,000 students being trained.

There are three different sectors in the construction industry as a whole. The two commercial areas require similar trade and professional skill-sets, though each is unique in some ways.

Initially we have the building construction section. Basically this is when structure is used to develop an older property. The vast majority are small-scale projects such as renovations. Heavy/Civil Construction is essentially the domain of the medium-sized 'build-for-profit' companies. Then there's Industrial Construction, which is a specialised but smaller division of the industry. Very large businesses and corporations are often behind plans such as these.

A greater range of skills and professions are needed to complete the civil and industrial construction projects. Financiers looking to fund the biggest industrial concerns sometimes have to raise tens of millions or more in investment money before they can get started. Professional careers in the construction industry include the following:

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers typically need to be qualified with good civil engineering degrees. A prestigious element issued by the Institution of Civil Engineers is that of the Chartered Engineer. New university graduates are usually expected to hold a Master's Degree to become Chartered. Those with Bachelor's Degrees may, as a result, become Incorporated Engineers.

Building Services Engineering

Building Services Engineers can equally be listed as 'M&E' Engineers. Typically these people have Mechanical Engineering degrees or Electrical Engineering degrees. Building Services Engineers can join the CIBSE in the UK. There are eight grades of membership, depending on experience and qualifications.

Project Manager

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 Surveyor

Quantity Surveyors can enter the industry at graduate level. Further training and accreditations can be accessed from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, "the pre-eminent organisation for professionals working in the land, property and construction sectors in the UK and around the world".

Structural Engineering

Senior structural engineers generally hold a Bachelors or Masters Degree in structural engineering. The work is very exacting, as obviously high levels of safety and efficiency are prerequisites for structural engineers.

Architecture

Becoming an architect generally requires a minimum 4 year Degree in Architecture with practical work experience and further training as well. The architect is actively involved throughout a whole project, from choosing the site to structure and landscaping completion.