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Construction, Civil Engineering & Architecture Colleges

There's no doubt that construction is one of the most embracing of today's business sectors. The industry encompasses disciplines such as design, architecture, engineering, management and building skills. There are many routes to a variety of careers within the Construction Industry.

Basically, there are three tiers of careers within the construction industry. First there are unskilled and semi skilled workers who have very little certification and represent the bulk of the on-site workforce. The next level is that of skilled labour and this refers to the Foremen and Managers who work on-site. Last of all come the Management and Technical Professionals. These are the people with the greatest educational qualifications (usually graduate degrees), trained to design, plan and manage the overall construction process.

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Construction Sectors & Training Frameworks

Skilled professionals in the UK often need formal accreditations - especially in those areas of vocational expertise. There are a number of ways for people to get their qualifications, whether this is by work-related training or through an FE college.

Just over two years ago, over 8,500 construction training positions began in this country. 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.

There are three different sectors in the construction industry as a whole. The two commercial areas require similar trade and professional skill-sets, though each is unique in some ways.

Building Construction is the initial area to check off. This is mainly concerned with extending existing property. Most of these renovations are relatively modest and fairly low key. Profit centred organisations that work on medium sized projects come under the heavy construction category. Sitting at the top in terms of scale is industrial construction. The owners of these large-scale projects are usually vast for-profit, industrial corporations.

The large industrial developments (and the bigger civil ones too) require very experienced professionals from many different backgrounds. The scope of the projects range from a few hundred pounds for small building work through to a few million or even billion pounds to complete two year industrial projects. So let's now go through a number of technical construction career paths:

Civil Engineering

Civil engineers generally hold particular three or four year engineering degrees. In the UK, the Institute of Civil Engineers offers the Chartered Engineer accreditation programme as well. To achieve chartered status engineering graduates need to hold the four year MEng. Those with Bachelor's Degrees may, as a result, become Incorporated Engineers.

Building Services Engineers

These can also be referred to as 'M&E Engineers'. Typically these people have Mechanical Engineering degrees or Electrical Engineering degrees. The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers welcomes members, and offers memberships from Affiliate through to Fellow depending on status.

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

Professional degree level qualifications are important in quantity surveying. With 2 years practical experience in a related field, you can complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and become a member of RICS - the profession's Royal Institute.

Structural Engineer

Professional structural engineers make a significant contribution to the design of a built environment. New university graduates must hold a Masters Degree to gain Chartered status from the Institute of Structural Engineers.

Architect

Becoming an architect generally requires a minimum 4 year Degree in Architecture with practical work experience and further training as well. The architect is actively involved throughout a whole project, from choosing the site to structure and landscaping completion.