Getting On With Construction Courses

Construction continues to be one of the largest business sectors in the world today. Modern construction utilises Planning, Architecture, Health and Safety and Green Engineering in its workflow as well as actual Building skill-sets. Naturally such diversity means there are various training paths leading to all the different roles.

Basically, there are three tiers of careers within the construction industry. The 'Unskilled' and 'Semi Skilled' workforce are generally the on-site labour with little or no formal construction qualifications. The next level is that of skilled labour and this refers to the Foremen and Managers who work on-site. Last of all come the Management and Technical Professionals. The people who work in these professions are responsible for planning and executing complete projects.

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An Overview to Construction Training

Skilled professionals in the UK often need formal accreditations - especially in those areas of vocational expertise. These qualifications are either obtained directly through colleges, or through 'on the job' training. Throughout the UK, 8,500 construction-related apprenticeships were started in 2007. As of last year, there were over 600,000 people employed throughout the construction industry with 18,000 students being trained.

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. Fundamentally this is the process of adding to and enhancing domestic properties. On the whole they tend to be small in scale and take a few weeks at most. Profit centred organisations that work on medium sized projects come under the heavy construction category. Industrial Construction is a relatively small part of the entire construction industry, but it is a key part of it. Large scale profits encourage multi-national organisations to get involved in such builds.

The Heavy/Civil and Industrial construction sectors primarily involve broader technical skills to finish each scheme. Householders sometimes spend several thousand on an extension, but conglomerates can spend hundreds of millions on a really major project. Next we'll cover a range of technical and specialised occupations in construction today -

Quantity Surveying

Professional degree level qualifications are important in quantity surveying. Chartered status is gained from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Structural Engineering

Anyone working as a structural engineer on major projects will have their say about the environment we live in. SE's often work alongside architects and designers on the construction of structures. As structures have to remain safe and serviceable for many years, the designs, materials and calculations all have to be expertly worked through.

Architects

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. The architect is actively involved throughout a whole project, from choosing the site to structure and landscaping completion.

Civil Engineering

Not only do civil engineers need degrees but they also generally need them in quite specific subjects. The Chartered Engineer qualification is issued by the Institution of Civil Engineers.

New University Graduates however require a masters degree to acquire Chartered status. Those with Bachelor's Degrees may, as a result, become Incorporated Engineers.

Building Services Engineer

These can also be referred to as 'M&E Engineers'. Typically these people have Mechanical Engineering degrees or Electrical Engineering degrees. The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers welcomes members, and offers memberships from Affiliate through to Fellow depending on status.

Project Managers

These professionals are generally holders of a two or three year higher education certificate or degree. They may also have experience in Civil Engineering.