Getting On With Your Career Via A Construction Course

Construction continues to be one of the largest business sectors in the world today. Careers within construction can be very diverse. Some involve design, engineering and architecture, others actual building skills. With so much choice within the industry, the right qualifications are now very important.

Choices for careers within Construction fundamentally span 3 skill levels. A large number of on-site workers tend to be Un-skilled or Semi-skilled workers who haven't gone through lengthy training. Skilled workers come next - they're often foremen or works managers who have a reasonable amount of experience and knowledge of their business.

And then there are those listed as Technicians and Managers. Usually the most technically qualified to work in this industry, these are generally the people who manage, plan and design the entire process.

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An Overview to Construction Training

In the United Kingdom, further education certifications are deemed a must-have for those in a skilled occupation. These skills can either be gained through working apprenticeships or via one of the dedicated colleges. Just over two years ago, over 8,500 construction training positions began in this country. Today, as well as the eighteen thousand or so people being trained in construction, there are well over six hundred thousand people working in the industry.

Generally there are three divisions of construction accepted within the industry. Each has a fairly unique team to plan, design, construct and maintain the relative project. Building Construction is the initial area to check off. Generally this is where a new structure is attached to a building. This can involve relatively minor projects such as restoration work and redecoration.

Civil and Heavy Construction is the second type of construction between Building and Industrial. Then there's Industrial Construction, which is a specialised but smaller division of the industry. Often the people behind these industrial construction projects are huge profit based companies.

Going up the chain from building through to industrial construction, an ever wider variety of skill-sets are needed to complete each project. 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.

Next we'll cover a range of technical and specialised occupations in construction today -

Civil Engineer

Usually Civil Engineers hold degree level qualifications in their subject matter. A respected accreditation is that of the Chartered Engineer status as offered through the Institute of Civil Engineers. To qualify as a Chartered Engineer, a graduate must hold a Masters in Engineering. Bachelor of Engineering degrees are generally a prerequisite to reaching the Incorporated Engineer level.

Quantity Surveyors

Quantity Surveyors can enter the industry at graduate level. For professional Chartered status, you should refer to www.rics.org - 'the world's leading professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property and construction'.

Structural Engineers

For a career in structural engineering, you need a vocational qualification (NVQ) in an engineering or construction related subject, or a structural engineering degree. As structures have to remain safe and serviceable for many years, the designs, materials and calculations all have to be expertly worked through.

Building Engineer

Building Services Engineers can equally be listed as 'M&E' Engineers. Typically these people have Mechanical Engineering degrees or Electrical Engineering degrees. Those looking for accredited status as a competent and professional building services engineer should consider membership of the CIBSE.

Project Management

PM's are normally also certified in other disciplines first, such as Quantity Surveying. There are a number of Project Management training courses offered by various institutions.

Architecture

Architectural students must be prepared for a lengthy training process, which includes a university degree and post-grad study and work. Professional status is monitored and assessed in the UK by RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects.