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Getting Ahead In Construction With Quantity Surveyor Courses

In the current global economy, construction remains one of the stalwarts of the market. The industry encompasses disciplines such as design, architecture, engineering, management and building skills. Many qualifications are globally recognised, but if you plan to work overseas, check before you spend time studying.

In the main people have three category levels to choose from when considering careers within the Construction Industry. A large number of on-site workers tend to be Un-skilled or Semi-skilled workers who haven't gone through lengthy training. Following this are the skilled workers, who've trained and built up their abilities. Many take on lower management positions. And then there are those listed as Technicians and Managers.

These are the people with the greatest educational qualifications (usually graduate degrees), trained to design, plan and manage the overall construction process.

When you want to consider your options you may want to refer to some of the training companies and links featured here, so make sure that you book-mark this page (Ctrl-D).

The Basis for Training in the Construction Sector

Within the UK, the skilled occupations require Further Education qualifications - often in a vocational subject. There are a number of ways for people to get their qualifications, whether this is by work-related training or through an FE college. In the United Kingdom during 2007, there were over 8,000 training positions started in construction alone. By 2009 over 600,000 workers were involved in the construction industry with 10,000 more people going through training than two years previously.

Overall work ranges from building construction, through heavy or civil construction to industrial construction. One is in the domestic market, and the other two are in the commercial sector.

The first sector to look at is Building Construction. Generally this is where a new structure is attached to a building. Most of these renovations are relatively modest and fairly low key. Civil and Heavy Construction is the second type of construction between Building and Industrial. Sitting at the top in terms of scale is industrial construction. Due to the size of the schemes the owners are often very large profit-based entities.

The scale of building work undertaken from Building to Industrial Construction is very extensive. 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 Engineering

Usually Civil Engineers hold degree level qualifications in their subject matter. Equally important is the Chartered Engineer qualification earned through the Institute of Civil Engineers. New University Graduates however require a masters degree to acquire Chartered status. With a three year BEng under your belt you could consider becoming an Incorporated Engineer.

Building Services Engineers

Another engineering discipline needed in construction is Building Services Engineering. These candidates usually hold degrees in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.Graduating M and E Engineers can join the CIBSE at Graduate level to increase their contacts and networks of professionals.

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.

Quantity Surveying

To qualify for construction work in quantity surveying, candidates must initially graduate at degree level or above. Chartered status is gained from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Structural Engineer

For a career in structural engineering, you need a vocational qualification (NVQ) in an engineering or construction related subject, or a structural engineering degree. The ISE (Institute of Structural Engineers) is the professional body that works to maintain professional standards in the industry.

Architect

Anyone who wishes to become an architect should allow for seven or more years of study and work experience to become fully qualified. Professional status is monitored and assessed in the UK by RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects.