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Construction Careers & Landscape Architecture Courses

In today's global market construction still sits as one of the leaders in industry. Careers within construction can be very diverse. Some involve design, engineering and architecture, others actual building skills. Naturally such diversity means there are various training paths leading to all the different roles.

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. Skilled workers come next - they're often foremen or works managers who have a reasonable amount of experience and knowledge of their business. Finally, there are Technical and Management workers. These people have trained to design and/or manage the overall process and as such are the most qualified within their field.

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Construction Sectors & Training Frameworks

Further Education credentials (often involving vocational elements) are essential for skilled positions. These skills can either be gained through working apprenticeships or via one of the dedicated colleges. Throughout the UK, 8,500 construction-related apprenticeships were started in 2007. Today, as well as the eighteen thousand or so people being trained in construction, there are well over six hundred thousand people working in the industry.

Generally there are three divisions of construction accepted within the industry. They all focus on different areas of the market.

Let's begin with Building Construction. Basically this is when structure is used to develop an older property. This can involve relatively minor projects such as restoration work and redecoration. Secondly, organisations that gain profit out of medium sized projects fall into the heavy or civil construction sector. Sitting at the top in terms of scale is industrial construction. 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. Without a doubt the costs of ventures increase from a few hundred pounds for small projects through to many millions of pounds for large industrial schemes. Next we'll cover a range of technical and specialised occupations in construction today -

Civil Engineer

Not only do civil engineers need degrees but they also generally need them in quite specific subjects. In the UK, the Institute of Civil Engineers offers the Chartered Engineer accreditation programme as well. To become a Chartered Engineer, university graduates are likely to have a Masters Degree. To reach Incorporated Engineer level you should have attained a Bachelor's Degree (BEng) first.

Building Services Engineer

Building Services Engineers can equally be listed as 'M&E' Engineers. A Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree is normally held by most applicants to this post. Chartered Engineer status is usually governed by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.

Project Management

Individuals typically hold a 2 year or greater higher education qualification, but are also qualified in another field such as 'Quantity Surveying' or 'Civil Engineering'.

Quantity Surveying

To qualify for construction work in quantity surveying, candidates must initially graduate at degree level or above. For professional Chartered status, you should refer to www.rics.org - 'the world's leading professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property and construction'.

Structural Engineering

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.

Architect

Architectural students must be prepared for a lengthy training process, which includes a university degree and post-grad study and work. Architects work closely with other construction professionals, such as engineers, quantity surveyors and the other specialists referred to above.