Construction is a vast and ever-growing sector. As the population swells and the standard of living heightens, the industry is booming. There are places in the construction sector for people of all skills and talents. Whether you’re interested in manual labour, advanced craft, maths, law or management, there’s great potential in construction. For example, experienced and qualified Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors can earn a fortune. The most crucial factor in your career is construction training.
Construction training comes in many forms so it’s essential to find the right method for you. If you’re looking for construction training but aren’t sure where to start, here are some things to consider.
What Type of Construction Training Should you Do?
What type of construction training you should choose depends on you as an individual. Think about the following questions:
How experienced are you?
If you have no work experience at all in construction then your best bet is to get some basic training. This should cover lots of bases so that you can explore which aspects of construction really interest you. BTECs are a great way to get a taste of the different job roles in the industry while gaining a good qualification. If, on the other hand, you are experienced and simply want to upskill, then short courses or online construction training is an excellent way of getting the training you need with minimal disturbance to your life. Or, you may have enough experience to know which area you want to work in and be looking to get fully qualified.
Do you want to work while you study?
Gaining work experience while you study is a wonderful way to put your newfound skills into practice while earning some cash. Many people find this more beneficial to their learning because they work on real projects. It also helps them to remember what they’ve learned, particularly if they’re a kinaesthetic learner (someone who learns best by physically doing something, rather than reading, watching or listening).
Apprenticeships or work placements during a degree a perfect for people early on in their careers. For those who already work full time and are looking for qualifications to earn a promotion or Chartered Membership, the College of Contract Management offers a range of valuable qualifications that can be done entirely online. This means that you can study from your own home at times that suit you. They are also almost always cheaper than courses offered at traditional colleges because we don’t need to pay for the maintenance of a campus.
What jobs are you interested in?
As mentioned before, whatever your talents, there is a place in construction for you. Unless your talent is dance of course. Below are a few suggestions that you could consider, depending on your talents, skills and interests. The salaries are an average. You won’t make that much when you first start but will earn more as you gain experience and maybe qualifications.
Are you …
Good with your hands?
Carpenter
Carpentry is an ancient profession that is still important to this day. Carpenters in construction build beams, doors, window frames and other fixtures.
Average salary: £31,500
Mason
Masons work with stone, bricks and concrete. As these are heavy, they need to be physically fit. You could be a Brick Mason, Block Mason, Stonemason or Journeyman Mason. In both masonry and carpentry, some professionals specialise in engraving, creating beautiful artwork for houses, churches and town halls.
Average salary: £13 per hour
Electrician
Electricians install and fix electrical systems in a house or other building.
Average salary: £32,500
Logical and good at maths and money?
Quantity Surveyor
Quantity Surveyors work out the costs that will be involved in a construction project. This includes cost of materials, labour, tenders and more.
Average salary: £33,500
Purchasing Coordinator
Purchasing Coordinators find the best suppliers for materials on a construction project. They then negotiate a contract with the supplier, work out the cost of an order and place the order.
Average salary: £21,000
A great leader and a people person?
Contract Manager
Contract Managers oversee construction projects to make sure that from the beginning to the end, the project is being carried out safely, within budget and to the client’s requirements.
Average salary: £57,500
Creative?
Architect
Architects design the visual aspect of a building or other structure. They often work with clients to design a practical embodiment of their needs.
Average salary: £67,500
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers figure out ways to maintain and improve structures that the public needs. These could include buildings, roads, railways and many others.
Average salary: £47,500
Into science and technology?
Structural Engineer
Structural Engineers use their knowledge of physics to calculate how long structures will stay intact.
Average salary: £30,500
Business Analyst
Business Analysts in construction help clients to make their IT systems run more efficiently and effectively.
Average salary: £57,500
Great at analysis and problem-solving?
Construction Dispute Lawyer
Disputes arise in construction when one party feels the other has broken the terms of their contract. They can then hire a Construction Dispute Lawyer to help them with the court case and ultimately find a resolution.
Average salary: £56,000
A history buff?
Historic Building Inspection/Conservation Officer
This fascinating job involves visiting historical buildings and structures and determining how best to preserve them.
Average salary: £40,000
Construction Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a great form of construction training for those who want to learn on the job. While some are put off by low apprenticeship wages, many see the value in learning from experienced staff on real jobs. Projects that you work on can be varied, challenging and exciting.
You can apply for apprenticeships through the UK Government or job search websites such as Indeed. If you’re really proactive then you can search for apprenticeships directly through big construction companies, such as this exciting one from the UK’s biggest construction company, Balfour Beatty.
Academic Construction Training
Beginner:
If you’re not certain that construction is the career path for you so just want to test the waters, a short course is ideal. Central Construction Training offers short construction training courses in various disciplines that are well worth travelling to Birmingham for. It’s also a good option for experienced workers looking to add a new skill to their tool belt.
Intermediate:
BTEC Construction is a wonderful platform to base the beginning of your career on. If you’re fully committed to choosing construction but want to explore what it can offer, then a BTEC is for you. Sixth-form and technical colleges all over the country offer courses like these and, like this one from BCoT, help students to dabble in which areas they like best.
From September 2021 you will also be able to study for T-Levels in Onsite Construction or Building Services Engineering. T-Levels are new qualifications being introduced by the UK Government. 1 T-Level is equal to 3 A-Levels, but they are more focused on technical skills.
Advanced:
If you’re aiming high in construction and want to take a very academic route to get there, then a degree might be the right choice for you. This is particularly beneficial if you’re more interested in the financial or law side of the industry.
One of the best degrees out there is Loughborough University’s Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering BSC (Hons). The course offers varied and exciting modules as well as a placement year that will allow you to get practical experience and build industry connections that could one day land you a job.
The College of Contract Management’s Online Construction Training Courses
Doing your construction training online is the perfect option if you are looking to up-skill while continuing to work. If you’re not sure which course best suits your needs, our UK administrative team will be happy to help. Just call 01420 481 681.
Certificate in Commercial Management
Professional Diploma in Forensic Schedule Analysis
Professional Diploma in Commercial Management
Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying
Advanced Diploma in Construction Management
CIOB Level 3 Diploma in Site Supervisory
CIOB Level 4 Certificate and Diploma in Site Management
NVQ Level 6 Construction Site Management
Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Contract Management
Advanced Diploma in Professional Practice in Project Management