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Construction careers - vast and exciting

Construction is an industry that everyone is influenced by as it touches virtually every aspect of our life, but it is an industry that most people know little about.

Almost all forms of human activity create demand for some form of construction works. The variety of construction projects is endless, ranging from tiny extensions to houses to massive airport developments.

The industry is a major part of the economy; in the UK it involves over 1.5 million people working in over 100,000 companies, and with a total value of £60 billion each year.

Vast, complex, diverse and exciting are words that best describe the industry. Most people’s contact with the construction industry is a quick glimpse of the final product being constructed as they pass a site, but what they do not see is the technical and managerial effort that lies behind the work on site. The task of managing and organising construction projects is highly challenging. Large projects demand high levels of technical and professional expertise.

In order to be able to operate successfully in this environment, managers need to be able to match highly developed business and management skills, with technical competencies, together with their own personal skills.

Construction offers a range of different occupations, such as surveyors, architects, engineers, contractors and project managers, each demanding different skills and abilities.

One of the attractions of the industry is its openness: it can be entered at any level and progression can be achieved through to the most senior levels. Career progression is based on an individual’s desire and ability. You can decide to enter work straight from school and to study part-time at your own pace while working or to study at college first full-time before entering employment. Many full-time courses incorporate periods of industry placement, which provide the opportunity to experience the industry before finally deciding on a career path.

There are many courses available to study construction, ranging from NVQ’s to degrees. At degree level construction management courses provide a balance between technology and management subject areas. Each degree has its own specialist focus; at University College London the degree has a focus on project management. Our students are taught in addition to a technology core, business, economics, law, management and computing in order to give them the necessary skills to operate in the construction arena. A degree such as this will provide you with applied business skills to enter a major industry.

Enthusiastic, well-qualified young people are always in strong demand by employers and there are opportunities to work all over the world. Being involved in construction projects is demanding but is also very rewarding.

You can find more general information about careers in construction the Construction Industry Training Board, website www.citb.co.uk/careers or from the Chartered Institute of Building, website www.ciob.org.uk   Send to a friend

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