Career Options in the Construction Industry
The construction industry is so vast and varied that it covers nearly every area you can think of when it comes to building infrastructures and houses. Depending on your qualifications and capabilities, the type of construction job you can venture in will range from construction laborers to engineering jobs. This is only proof that the career opportunities in this industry are seemingly endless and diverse.
Construction is a very big business worldwide. This is because of the increasing need for more housing and other infrastructure needs. The construction industry has four primary sectors namely commercial, heavy civil, industrial and residential construction wherein the latter being the largest contributor to construction activity.
There are many routes to the different careers within the construction industry which can greatly vary in each nation. Although this is the case, there are three main tiers of careers based on educational qualifications which are very common internationally. These are:
• Unskilled and semi-skilled workers which are involved in general labor with or without construction qualifications.
• Skilled workers are those workers whom possess vast knowledge and experience.
• Technical and management professionals are those which have the most educational qualifications which are trained to manage, plan, design and oversee the whole construction process.
Unskilled and semi-skilled workers include the general laborers. This type of work involves tasks like lifting, loading, unloading, and moving materials. Some employers may require a high school diploma or an equivalent of 2 years of experience in the field. This type of jobs has one of the highest construction job opening opportunities for workers in construction. They also rely on instructions from supervisors and need to learn the guidelines of a particular task to perform their function.
Skilled occupations are those that often come from vocational subject areas. These are qualifications are either obtained directly after the completion of compulsory education or thorough "on the job" apprenticeship training. The following are some of them:
• Roofer
They are responsible for covering roofs with roofing materials such as composition of wood shingles, asphalt and gravel, sheets to be able to waterproof roof. This job will usually require a high school diploma or an equivalent of 2-4 years of experience in the related area.
• Plumber
The main responsibility of the plumber is to install, modify, inspect, maintain and repair the building’s plumbing fixtures in water, heating and drainage systems. His primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment and usually reports to a manager.
• Electrician
He has the task of inspecting, repairing, installing, modifying and maintaining all the electrical circuits, systems and equipment. It also requires a high school diploma or an equivalent of 1-2 years of experience.
Technical and specialized occupations entail more training as a superior technological knowledge and skills. This type of professions holds more legal responsibility in the construction industry because they hold construction management jobs. Below is a short list of the main careers that is significant in construction:
• Architect
An architect requires at least a four year degree in architecture. He must also obtain 2-3 years of experience under a licensed architect and be able to pass the Architect Examination in his country.
An architect’s main job is to create new designs and plans buildings depending on the information provided by the clients. The architect will usually start with the project by initially meeting the clients to determine the components for the whole building.
• Quantity surveyor
This professional typically holds a master’s degree in quantity surveying. He manages all the costs associated with building projects from the estimated calculations to the final figures. They also seek to minimize these entire costs of the project and enhance the value for money by still following the standards. He may either work for a contractor or a client.
A quantity surveyor’s typical tasks will include undertaking feasibility studies, performing risk and value management, advising procurement strategy, valuing completed work and arranging payments.
• Civil engineer
An engineer in this field must hold a 5 year-degree in civil engineering. The job description involves work with physics, math and various types of computer software, safety concerns and project management.
Construction engineering job such as this is tasked to plan many types of structures including highways and building. He works hand in hand with the architect on designing and focuses a great deal on safety. He is also the one responsible for determining the materials and methods used for the construction project. In accomplishing this, he must be able to conduct environmental studies to prevent soil and water contamination during construction.
• Building services engineer
This professional typically holds an electrical or mechanical engineering degree. A building services engineer design, install, and maintain all kinds of systems in new and existing buildings. It can involve everything from electricity, fire and safety to plumbing and sanitation.
Generally, these engineers are responsible for creating and maintaining a comfortable and safe environment in a building. They may specialize in one function such as project management or estimating. A building services engineer’s work will involve choosing systems and equipment,. Inspecting installation works and dealing with any problems, overseeing final testing and preparing a design and detailed drawing on computer.
• Project manager
This profession will usually hold a two-year or higher education qualification but are also qualified in other field such as civil engineering or surveying.
Construction manager jobs require being able to communicate effectively with clients and the other involved parties because it is his main job to keep everyone informed of the current status of the project and its main concerns frequently.
If you are planning to venture into the world of construction, it is important that you take time to assess your skills and qualifications initially before applying for a position. In this way, you will know what construction work is right for you.
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