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Construction & Architecture Degrees

Construction continues to be one of the largest business sectors in the world today. It builds from a wealth of skill sets which include Design, Architecture, Building Skills and Health & Safety factors. There are many routes to a variety of careers within the Construction Industry.

Work covers three broad skill ranks, which each have a number of roles. "Unskilled" and "Semi-Skilled" workers have little or no formal credentials, but generally make up 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. Then there remain those jobs relating to technical and management work. The people who work in these professions are responsible for planning and executing complete projects.

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How To Train In The Construction Sector

Further Education credentials (often involving vocational elements) are essential for skilled positions. Students can go through a college or by on-the-job training to get their required qualifications. During 2007, some eight thousand five hundred construction based scholarships were pursued in the Britain. In addition to the 613,000 or so people within the construction trades in the UK during 2009 another 18,000 students were assigned to training programmes.

There are three different sectors in the construction industry as a whole. One is in the domestic market, and the other two are in the commercial sector.

The first is Building Construction. This is the process by which structural improvements are made to established buildings. This can involve relatively minor projects such as restoration work and redecoration. Larger scale projects are mostly the domain of civil construction, which comes mid-way 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 Heavy/Civil and Industrial construction sectors primarily involve broader technical skills to finish each scheme. 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

Civil engineers generally hold particular three or four year engineering degrees. In addition the Chartered Engineer certification can be obtained through the Institution of Civil Engineers. New University Graduates however require a masters degree to acquire Chartered status. Those with Bachelor's Degrees may, as a result, become Incorporated Engineers.

Building Services Engineer

B S Engineers are also known as M and E Engineers. Building Services Engineers typically graduate with a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree. BS engineers can enhance their career prospects by joining their chartered institute. Membership at different levels is available for anyone studying or working in building services.

Project Management

PM's are normally also certified in other disciplines first, such as Quantity Surveying. There are a number of Project Management training courses offered by various institutions.

Quantity Surveying

To qualify for construction work in quantity surveying, candidates must initially graduate at degree level or above. Further training and accreditations can be accessed from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, "the pre-eminent organisation for professionals working in the land, property and construction sectors in the UK and around the world".

Structural Engineering

Senior structural engineers generally hold a Bachelors or Masters Degree in structural engineering. There are various membership levels should you wish to join the Institute of Structural Engineers, which reflect the diversity of recognised academic qualifications around the world.

Architects

The standard entry route into the architectural profession takes at least seven years, and is a blend of academic and practical study and work. To use the title of Architect, the individual must hold Chartered Status with the Royal Institute of British Architects, and be on the Architects Registration Board.