CareerChangeUK.co.uk

Construction Opportunities & Degrees In Architecture

Currently construction is one of the leading industries in today's world. 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. Many qualifications are globally recognised, but if you plan to work overseas, check before you spend time studying.

Essentially there are three layers of profession within the industry. The 'Unskilled' and 'Semi Skilled' workforce are generally the on-site labour with little or no formal construction qualifications.

Following this are the skilled workers, who've trained and built up their abilities. Many take on lower management positions. Then there remain those jobs relating to technical and management work. Individuals in this category will have trained and qualified at a more advanced level, and will take on greater responsibilities.

By typing CTRL-D and book-marking this page you will be able to come back later on and check out the links and adverts to some of the training companies featured here.

Construction Training within Great Britain

All skilled workers in Britain have to continue training after they've left school. These qualifications are either obtained directly through colleges, or through 'on the job' training. Between 2006 and 2007 over 9,000 apprenticeships in construction were allocated in the United Kingdom. In late 2009, approximately 613,000 people were employed within the construction industry as a whole, with some 18,000 people going through training programmes.

Generally there are three divisions of construction accepted within the industry. They're very different in nature and scope, and require distinctive skill-sets.

Let's begin with Building Construction. This is the process by which structural improvements are made to established buildings. A large number of these projects are comparatively small and are completed in under a month. Civil and Heavy Construction is the second type of construction between Building and Industrial. Then there's Industrial Construction, which is a specialised but smaller division of the industry. 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. The range of plans also raises the costs, with large industrial projects sometimes costing up to a billion pounds or more. Let's now get an overview of some of the professionals who work in the industry:

Civil Engineer

A Civil Engineer usually holds a degree in a relative subject. Equally important is the Chartered Engineer qualification earned through the Institute of Civil Engineers. To become a Chartered Engineer, university graduates are likely to have a Masters Degree. Graduates can become Incorporated Engineers through Bachelor Degree status.

Building Services Engineering

The construction industry also needs Building Services Engineers. Building Services Engineers typically graduate with a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree. Chartered Engineer status is usually governed by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.

Project Management

Many project managers come into the role through other engineering disciplines. With experience and on-going training in (e.g. in PMBOK or PRINCE 2) they can progress to very senior roles.

Quantity Surveyors

The first stage to becoming a quantity surveyor is to graduate with an approved degree or masters degree. 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 Engineers

This type of work covers such areas as structural analysis, structural mechanics, foundation and structural design and material properties. The work is very exacting, as obviously high levels of safety and efficiency are prerequisites for 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. On any construction project, an architect will remain a key player as their designs, ideas and plans are converted into physical structures and spaces.