Unit 1. Career in Construction
CAREER IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Traditionally, construction has involved the three-party, two-relationship model. The first is the owner designer relationship, in which the project owner appoints the designer (usually an architect or an engineer) to plan or design the project. The second, that commences after the design is ready, is the owner contractor relationship. The contractor is given the project to realize based on the quotation of costs and expenditure. Recently, however, this model has undergone a radical change. The trend now is to rely on construction management.
Construction Management is also the study of construction with regard to managerial and technological aspects like construction management, construction science, construction risk etc. The most common and widely recognized format for construction management education is the scholastic degree, baccalaureate, and graduate degree. Other formats may be on the job training and apprenticeship, and higher education. High school students who want a career in construction management should take a lot of maths, also Chemistry, physics and accounting. Many colleges and universities offer master’s degrees in construction management or construction science. Someone who has a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field can also get a master’s degree in construction management. One can obtain a master’s degree in finance or business administration to improve career prospects. There are also industry association sponsored training programs.
Excellent construction management employment opportunities are available as the huge construction boom needs a large number of qualified individuals. Also, the increasing complexity of construction projects is creating extra demand for managers. New technology and laws setting standards for materials, safety, and environmental impact have complicated the construction process, requiring trained managers to handle it. Opportunities for advancement may vary depending upon the person’s performance and the size and type of company.
Construction/Project managers have limitless employment opportunities both in public and private sector infrastructure development companies. Government departments like railways and defence are among the top employers of construction/project managers. Project managers also find favorable employment options in power, energy, telecommunication and IT related companies. They can work with real estate developers. Small companies may hire project/construction managers for proper management of their projects. Experienced project managers can work independently as consultants.
Construction managers must be flexible and effective. They must be decisive and work well under pressure, or with unexpected delays. Good communication skills and language competence are important. Construction managers have to be “on call” at all times to deal with emergencies on-site. Be prepared to work much more than a 40-hour week to meet established construction deadlines. The work is not dangerous; however, construction managers must be careful onsite. Also, be prepared to be out in all kinds of weather, and wet muddy sites. However, if you are an outdoors person, this field should be perfect.
CONSTRUCTION SITE WORK
Any construction site work requires qualified people in different trades and engineers to oversee their work. Opportunities in construction depend on the state of the economy, which largely governs construction activities.
Construction site work to be done by any engineer will depend on the size and complexity of the project. Smaller projects may require a single engineer who would have to handle all aspects. As project sizes grow, workloads in various branches of the project increase, there is a need in an engineer to supervise and oversee only the particular department to which he is assigned. Engineers during their professional education and training are given the necessary skills and knowledge in all aspects of engineering and the trades to provide supervisory and supporting roles in the construction field. In addition, they have knowledge of scheduling, planning, design, surveying, management, and the cost aspects of a project. One thing that has to be constantly kept in mind by anyone seeking opportunities in construction is that such works are of a temporary nature and only last until the completion of the project.
Engineers concerned with direct field work have to allocate the work to various agencies under their control, arrange for materials and equipment, and ensure that the works are carried out by the workers as per the specifications laid down and as per drawings given to them by the planners. They would have to ensure that the work is carried out as per the given schedule, and this would require constant monitoring of the productivity of the workers under their control. The safety aspect of the workers has also to be ensured by the engineer.