CareerProgression.co.uk

Careers in Construction - Civil Engineering Technician Training

In the current global economy, construction remains one of the stalwarts of the market. Careers within construction can be very diverse. Some involve design, engineering and architecture, others actual building skills. There are so many different ways to become a professional worker in construction.

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.

Next are the managers and foremen who work on-site. They hold a good level of technical knowledge and are often referred to as "skilled" labour. Lastly, there are the more senior technical structures and management roles. Usually the most technically qualified to work in this industry, these are generally the people who manage, plan and design the entire process.

On this page you'll find links and adverts from a selection of training companies, so it could be worth your while to book-mark it (CTRL-D) so you can come back later to review your options.

How To Train In The Construction Sector

Further Education credentials (often involving vocational elements) are essential for skilled positions. Students can go through a college or by on-the-job training to get their required qualifications. Throughout the UK, 8,500 construction-related apprenticeships were started in 2007. Two years on and that training number has increased to eighteen thousand.

Overall work ranges from building construction, through heavy or civil construction to industrial construction. They all focus on different areas of the market.

The first sector to look at is Building Construction. Essentially this is where extensions are built onto existing houses. 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. Without a doubt profit is often behind the large scale ownership of these projects.

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. Professional careers in the construction industry include the following:

Civil Engineer

It's usual for a civil engineer to have an appropriate university degree. In addition the Chartered Engineer certification can be obtained through the Institution of Civil Engineers. New University Graduates however require a masters degree to acquire Chartered status. Bachelor of Engineering degrees are generally a prerequisite to reaching the Incorporated Engineer level.

Building Engineers

Building Services Engineers can equally be listed as 'M&E' Engineers. For this type of position it is customary for people to have a suitable degree e.g. in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. Those looking for accredited status as a competent and professional building services engineer should consider membership of the CIBSE.

Project Managers

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.

Quantity Surveyor

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'.

Structural Engineering

Senior structural engineers generally hold a Bachelors or Masters Degree in structural engineering. As structures have to remain safe and serviceable for many years, the designs, materials and calculations all have to be expertly worked through.

Architecture

The standard entry route into the architectural profession takes at least seven years, and is a blend of academic and practical study and work. Architects work closely with other construction professionals, such as engineers, quantity surveyors and the other specialists referred to above.