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Building your Future: In Construction

Every year the construction industry offers career opportunities for enough people to fill a football stadium (that's 88,000 people each year for the next 4 years). And now the task of building the London 2012 Olympics will create approximately 33,500 additional jobs over the next seven years.

Tell me about being a…….Civil Engineering Technician

Civil engineering technicians provide technical support to civil engineers who design, build and manage construction projects.

A technician’s work can involve any of the following:
> designing - surveying or choosing the site, arranging for soil and rock samples to be analysed and producing design drawings
> estimating - preparing detailed estimates of the quantity and type of materials to be used
> planning - helping to set target dates for completing each stage of construction
> purchasing - costing and buying materials, equipment and labour
> site engineering - checking the progress of the construction work
> land surveying and quantity surveying.

Salaries range from around £14,000 a year for new entrants, to over £30,000 a year for senior technicians.

The recommended entry route is to train through an Apprenticeship with a company or employer.

The recommended entry route is to train through an Apprenticeship with a company or employer. Alternatively, young people can start work as a trainee technician. They then go on to spend time helping in a number of departments involved in work such as estimating, production planning and quality control. Technicians aim to gain the qualification EngTech. To achieve this they must register formally with Engineering Council UK (ECUK) as an engineering

technician.

Tell me about…… Quantity surveyors

Quantity surveyors, who may be known as commercial managers or cost consultants, deal with the financial side of building and civil engineering projects. Their role involves managing the costs of a project. Starting salaries are around £21,000 a year. Surveyors at the top of the profession may earn up to £100,000, or more.

Quantity surveyors should:
> have mathematical ability
> be able to communicate clearly, both in speech and writing
> be commercially aware, with an interest in business and finance
> be interested in, and have a good knowledge of, construction.

There are around 25,000 quantity surveyors who are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The demand for surveyors is strong and there is a shortage of people with the appropriate skills.

The main employers are:
> building and civil engineering contractors
> consultancies that advise clients on construction costs
> local government and other public sector bodies.

The main route into quantity surveying is by taking a first degree, normally in quantity surveying or a closely related subject. Alternatively, postgraduate courses are available for people with degrees in other subjects.
After obtaining a degree or diploma, it is necessary to gain further practical experience before becoming fully qualified.

Tell me about being a… Construction supervisor/Manager

Construction supervisors/managers supervise and direct people to make sure a building project is completed safely, on time and within budget.

They are responsible for:
> developing a programme of work for the project
> supervising the building work
> making sure the site is safe and that there
are good industrial relations
> reporting on progress to the client who is paying for the work.


Construction supervisors/managers also supervise the preparation of the site and communicate with a wide range of people, including the public and professionals such as architects, engineers, estimators and surveyors.
Salaries may range from around £16,000 to over £40,000 a year.

Construction supervisors/managers normally need a degree or equivalent qualification. They normally do a degree in subjects such as construction management, building studies, building technology or building. There is no upper age limit, but it is difficult for adults to enter the profession without some qualifications.
The CIOB offers qualifications in Construction Site Supervision and Site Management at Levels 3 and 4. Level 5 in Construction Project Management is aimed at people already working as project managers. The CIOB can provide a list of organisations running these courses.

For more information on careers in building in Construction and Industry see www.connexions-direct.com and www.bconstructive.co.uk