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Construction Careers

There are a number of careers associated with the construction industry.

There are three main tiers of careers based on education and experience


  • Unskilled and Semi-Skilled - General site labour with little or no construction qualifications.

  • Skilled - On-site managers whom possess extensive knowledge and experience in their craft or profession.

  • Technical and Management - Personnel with the greatest educational qualifications, usually graduate degrees, trained to design, manage and instruct the construction process.


    • Skilled position within contruction require Further Education qualifications. These qualifications can be botained at college or through an apprenticeship. In the UK 8500 construction-related apprenticeships were indertaken in 2007.

    Technical and specialised careers do require more training as a greater technical knowledge is needed. These professions also hold a more more legal responsibility so further qualifications are usually essential.

    Here are some of the main construction careers with an outline of the qualifications requirements

    • ARCHITECT - 4-year degree in architecture. Also the individual must hold chartered status with the Royal Institute of British Architects and be on the Architects Registration Board.

    • CIVIL ENGINEER - Degree in a related subject. The Chartered Engineer qualification is controlled by the Institution of Civil Engineers. A new university graduate must hold a masters degree to become chartered, persons with bachelors degrees may become an Incorporated Engineer.

    • BUILDING SERVICES ENGINEER - Often referred to as an M&E Engineer, holds a degree in mechanical or electrical engineering. Chartered Engineer status is governed by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.

    • PROJECT MANAGER - 2-year or greater higher education qualification, but are often also qualified in another field such as quantity surveying or civil engineering.

    • QUALITY SURVEYER - Masters degree in quantity surveying. Chartered status is gained from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

    • STRUCTURAL ENGINEER - Bachelors or masters degree in structural engineering, new university graduates must hold a masters degree to gain chartered status from the Institution of Structural Engineers.

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