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How To Get A Career With Construction Courses

Construction continues to be one of the largest business sectors in the world today. It is far bigger than many people think, and includes careers for architects, designers, engineers, project managers and even health & safety officials within its remit. With so many inter-related roles and disciplines, training and qualifications vary enormously.

In the construction industry there are three levels to consider. The main on-site labour is often referred to as un-skilled or semi-skilled, primarily due to the lack of formal industry qualifications. Skilled workers come next - they're often foremen or works managers who have a reasonable amount of experience and knowledge of their business.

Last of all come the Management and Technical Professionals. 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.

Construction Sectors & Training Frameworks

Skilled professionals in the UK often need formal accreditations - especially in those areas of vocational expertise. These skills can either be gained through working apprenticeships or via one of the dedicated colleges. Within the UK over eight thousand apprenticeships in construction started in two thousand and seven alone. Two years on and that training number has increased to eighteen thousand.

It's widely recognised in the industry that there are three types of construction. They all take a range of skills to complete each assignment, though some overlap with each other.

The first is Building Construction. This is mainly concerned with extending existing property. This can involve relatively minor projects such as restoration work and redecoration. Next come those construction companies that get involved in heavy (civil) commercial building projects. And lastly comes industrial construction which covers all the vast structures and developments in the country. 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. Householders sometimes spend several thousand on an extension, but conglomerates can spend hundreds of millions on a really major project. We can take a look at some of the professions that work in construction -

Civil Engineer

It's usual for a civil engineer to have an appropriate university degree. In the UK, the Institute of Civil Engineers offers the Chartered Engineer accreditation programme as well. To qualify as a Chartered Engineer, a graduate must hold a Masters in Engineering. Graduates can become Incorporated Engineers through Bachelor Degree status.

Building Services Engineers

B S Engineers are also known as M and E Engineers. You normally need to have a mechanical or electrical engineering degree to be considered for such a position. 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.

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 Surveyors

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.

Structural Engineer

Professional structural engineers make a significant contribution to the design of a built environment. Structures have to look pleasing, but structural engineers also have to calculate loads and stresses, and be confident the foundations and frameworks are sufficiently strong to be safe and effective.

Architects

Entry in architecture is unlikely without a degree, and indeed practical supervised experience along with university studies will take approximately 7 years. On any construction project, an architect will remain a key player as their designs, ideas and plans are converted into physical structures and spaces.