Careers In The Construction Industry

In today's global market construction still sits as one of the leaders in industry. It builds from a wealth of skill sets which include Design, Architecture, Building Skills and Health & Safety factors. With so many inter-related roles and disciplines, training and qualifications vary enormously.

Work covers three broad skill ranks, which each have a number of roles. A large number of on-site workers tend to be Un-skilled or Semi-skilled workers who haven't gone through lengthy training. Following this are the skilled workers, who've trained and built up their abilities. Many take on lower management positions. 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. Bookmarking this page (a keyboard shortcut is Ctrl D) would help if you wanted to check out the links and adverts to a few training companies in this area.

Construction Training within Great Britain

In the United Kingdom, further education certifications are deemed a must-have for those in a skilled occupation. Once compulsory education in schools has been completed, students can either further their knowledge through training at work or by attending one of the prescribed colleges. Within the UK over eight thousand apprenticeships in construction started in two thousand and seven alone. 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.

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.

Let's begin with Building Construction. Basically this is when structure is used to develop an older property. This can involve relatively minor projects such as restoration work and redecoration. Secondly, organisations that gain profit out of medium sized projects fall into the heavy or civil construction sector. The third sector of construction is industrial - by far the largest projects fall into this category, though they're much fewer and far between than the others. Very large businesses and corporations are often behind plans such as these.

The large industrial developments (and the bigger civil ones too) require very experienced professionals from many different backgrounds. 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. We can take a look at some of the professions that work in construction -

Structural Engineer

Professional structural engineers make a significant contribution to the design of a built environment. The ISE (Institute of Structural Engineers) is the professional body that works to maintain professional standards in the industry.

Civil Engineering

A Civil Engineer usually holds a degree in a relative subject. In addition the Chartered Engineer certification can be obtained through the Institution of Civil Engineers. To become a Chartered Engineer, university graduates are likely to have a Masters Degree. However, anyone graduating with a Bachelors Degree can go on to become an Incorporated Engineer at that stage.

Architects

Becoming an architect generally requires a minimum 4 year Degree in Architecture with practical work experience and further training as well. On any construction project, an architect will remain a key player as their designs, ideas and plans are converted into physical structures and spaces.

Quantity Surveyors

Training for work as a Quantity Surveyor starts with an appropriate three or four year degree course. 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'.

Building Services Engineering

The construction industry also needs Building Services Engineers. A Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree is normally held by most applicants to this post. Graduating M and E Engineers can join the CIBSE at Graduate level to increase their contacts and networks of professionals.

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.