Professional and Managerial

There are no set qualifications, though employers will usually look for an HNC/HND or a degree in a subject such as project management, construction management or engineering.

You could also be considered from other industries if you have a background in project or contract management.

You would need to carry out continued professional development through seminars and training events.

There are no set academic entry requirements to train as an estimator, but GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C) in science, technology, English and maths are useful or their equivalent. An IT qualification is also good to have.

You could also study for a BTEC HNC, HND in subject areas such as structural engineering, civil engineering or construction.

An excellent way to start  is by looking for construction apprenticeships with a building or construction engineering firm, then working up. Your employer might want you to take more on-the-job qualifications. These could include an NVQ in Project Control Levels 3 and 4, NVQ in Construction Contracting Operations levels 3 and 4, and Certificate and Diploma in Site Management Level 4.

With a Level 3 NVQ and several years’ experience, you can apply for membership of the Association of Cost Engineers. For further information see the website: www.acoste.org.uk

Many people also take on this role after first  as a craft person, assistant technician or administrator.

Many people can enter this role after gaining experience in the industry in a different craft/technical or professional capacity. They may have also gained health and safety training to assist in this role, such as IOSH’s Working Safely, Managing Safely qualification or through CITB Site Safety Plus training courses.

Entrants may have studied a degree in health and safety or risk management for entry into the profession. Alternatively, construction degrees in engineering, business and management, or law may also be beneficial.

In addition, there is usually a minimum requirement of National General Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health (NEBOSH)

If not already gained, training may also include IEMA approved courses (training aligned to the environmental profession), such as IEMA Approved Associate Certificate course in Environmental Management – a professional qualification for those dedicated to improving sustainability and environmental management within their organisation.

Quantity surveyors usually hold a relevant degree in Quantity Surveying, or follow a work-based route doing a Surveying Apprenticeship.

You can then follow this with a degree accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). This improves your chances of getting a job after your studies.

Other useful first degree subjects include geography, maths, economics, urban and land studies, building or construction, civil or structural engineering.

It’s possible to do an accredited masters degree and some construction companies and construction agencies may allow you to do your post-graduate qualification on the job.  If you have a non-relevant degree you must take an RICS-recognised post-graduate conversion course.

To qualify for chartered status, you must complete the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) while you are working and have at least two years’ work experience. To apply for CIOB chartered status, you will need an accredited honours degree and two years’ relevant work experience.

There are various ways to become a project manager. You will usually be qualified to degree or postgraduate level, often in project management. Other useful degree subjects include business and management, IT or construction management.

You could study part-time for a project management degree or postgraduate qualification while you are working, or work towards NVQs at levels 4 and 5 in Project Management or levels 3, 4 and 5 in Business Improvement Techniques. There are also NVQs at levels 3, 4 and 5 specific to project management in construction.

You could start as a member of the project support team, or manage smaller projects as part of another job and progress to managing larger projects full time.

You can work towards professional qualifications in project management at various levels from any one of the following organisations: the Association for Project Management (APM), Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). The Information Systems Examination Board, which is part of the British Computer Society (BCS) offers courses in project management for those working in IT.

To become a senior project manager, you will need to hold a qualification from one of the following organisations:

• Association for Project Management (APM)
• Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Once qualified with experience you can also become chartered. Becoming chartered means you have proved that you are highly experienced and skilled at doing your job. It is comparable to a bachelor’s degree and is recognised all over the world. Becoming chartered can enhance your career, increase your salary and boosts the professionalism of your organisation.

You can achieve chartership through the relevant professional institution for the career you are following however a full range of management roles within construction can gain chartered status through  The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

As a school leaver, you can apply for an apprenticeship in construction  and progress to become a site manager, or you could apply for a higher apprenticeship in construction management.

Another way would be to have gained a degree or, a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or a Higher National Diploma (HND), in a relevant subject. This could be in construction, civil engineering, construction management, architecture or building surveying.

You can progress your career and achieve chartership after several years experience at The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

You need to hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to work on a construction site. You will need to pass a health and safety test and have a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) certificate.

A Trainer/Assessor must have experience of working in the construction industry, either domestic or industrial, and must hold a D32/33 or A1 Assessors Award. Vocationally qualified to at least NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a specific discipline, they must have experience of assessing trainees and providing feedback.