Construction Careers & Architecture Distance Learning
Currently construction is one of the leading industries in today's world. The industry encompasses disciplines such as design, architecture, engineering, management and building skills. Naturally such diversity means there are various training paths leading to all the different roles.
In the main people have three category levels to choose from when considering careers within the Construction Industry. "Unskilled" and "Semi-Skilled" workers have little or no formal credentials, but generally make up the bulk of the on-site workforce. Following this are the skilled workers, who've trained and built up their abilities.
Many take on lower management positions. Last of all come the Management and Technical Professionals. These are the people with the greatest educational qualifications (usually graduate degrees), trained to design, plan and manage the overall construction process.
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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. In the United Kingdom during 2007, there were over 8,000 training positions started in construction alone.
By 2009 over 600,000 workers were involved in the construction industry with 10,000 more people going through training than two years previously.
Overall work ranges from building construction, through heavy or civil construction to industrial construction. They're very different in nature and scope, and require distinctive skill-sets.
Let's begin with Building Construction. 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. 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.
A greater range of skills and professions are needed to complete the civil and industrial construction projects. 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. 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 prestigious element issued by the Institution of Civil Engineers is that of the Chartered Engineer. New University Graduates however require a masters degree to acquire Chartered status. Graduates can become Incorporated Engineers through Bachelor Degree status.
Building Services Engineers
These can also be referred to as 'M&E Engineers'. You normally need to have a mechanical or electrical engineering degree to be considered for such a position. Building Services Engineers can join the CIBSE in the UK. There are eight grades of membership, depending on experience and qualifications.
Project Manager
Often it's by being qualified in either quantity surveying or civil engineering, along with a professional certification such as PRINCE 2 that these positions become available.
Quantity Surveying
To become a surveyor, you must first qualify in an appropriate QS degree. More professional training (along with time spent in industry) can be gained from RICS, the industry body for standards and certifications.
Structural Engineers
Professional structural engineers make a significant contribution to the design of a built environment. New university graduates must hold a Masters Degree to gain Chartered status from the Institute of Structural Engineers.
Architecture
Twelve months practical experience follows the first degree, then a further two years on a second degree or diploma, with more practical experience and exams following that. To use the title of Architect, the individual must hold Chartered Status with the Royal Institute of British Architects, and be on the Architects Registration Board.
