The Construction Industry & Mechanical Engineering Courses
Construction continues to be one of the largest business sectors in the world today. It can range from Building Skills, to Architecture and on to Design and even Health and Safety issues at work. With so many inter-related roles and disciplines, training and qualifications vary enormously.
Basically, there are three tiers of careers within the construction industry. The main on-site labour is often referred to as un-skilled or semi-skilled, primarily due to the lack of formal industry qualifications.
Next are the managers and foremen who work on-site. They hold a good level of technical knowledge and are often referred to as "skilled" labour. Lastly, there are the more senior technical structures and management roles. Due to the fact that these people hold the highest qualifications in this sector they are the ones who manage, plan, design and train the construction methods.
On this page you'll find links and adverts from a selection of training companies, so it could be worth your while to book-mark it (CTRL-D) so you can come back later to review your options.
An Overview to Construction Training
Skilled jobs demand some form of further education study - predominantly in subjects connected to the vocation itself. 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. In late 2009, approximately 613,000 people were employed within the construction industry as a whole, with some 18,000 people going through training programmes.
Generally there are three divisions of construction accepted within the industry. 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. For example with the addition of rooms or renovation of bathrooms etc. Civil and Heavy Construction is the second type of construction between Building and Industrial. Industrial Construction is a relatively small part of the entire construction industry, but it is a key part of it. Often the people behind these industrial construction projects are huge profit based companies.
The Heavy/Civil and Industrial construction sectors primarily involve broader technical skills to finish each scheme. Householders sometimes spend several thousand on an extension, but conglomerates can spend hundreds of millions on a really major project. Below you'll find a list of professional construction related careers and training requirements.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineers generally hold particular three or four year engineering degrees. A respected accreditation is that of the Chartered Engineer status as offered through the Institute of Civil Engineers. New university graduates are usually expected to hold a Master's Degree to become Chartered. Those with Bachelor's Degrees may, as a result, become Incorporated Engineers.
Building Engineer
Another engineering discipline needed in construction is Building Services Engineering. Building Services Engineers typically graduate with a Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree. 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 Surveyor
Quantity Surveyors can enter the industry at graduate level. 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 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. As structures have to remain safe and serviceable for many years, the designs, materials and calculations all have to be expertly worked through.
Architects
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.
