Finding a job in the construction industry is hard as it is a very popular area to work in. What’s more, finding your way to the top of the pile can be fantastic and construction managers are usually running their own companies and in charge of important projects as well as large teams of people. Below we’re taking a closer look at the job role and how construction management can be a fantastic career choice.
Construction managers get stuck in with a project from day one, ensuring they are available both on site and in the office when necessary. They need to be able to liaise with a huge number of professionals working on the job as well as the client themselves and they work most closely with project managers, site foremen and quantity surveyors.
Specialising
Construction managers are usually generally qualified and have a general understanding over the wider construction field. However, some do choose specialise in specific areas or work their way up from electrician or carpenter roles. It’s believed that around 20% of construction managers who didn’t already have a specialism choose to study for one at a later date.
Safety
Construction managers are responsible for setting and implementing all site safety rules. It is their responsibility to ensure these rules are complied with and properly laid out. With the growth in workplace disputes and compensation claims there is even greater need for proper safety regulations. It’s important to consult health and safety executives to ensure all your regulations are correct.
Key Skills
Construction managers don’t need specific technical skills but there are general skills you may need. As you begin your role you should start to be able to pick things up quickly. You need to have some general skills which include:
Organisational skills – this should be your key talent. Being able to organise large numbers of people and the project in general is essential to your role. You also need to be able to look out for construction project leads in the UK and even abroad if you choose to branch out.
Communicational Skills – as well as organising all the involved parties you also need to be able to communicate well with them all. Even the most obstreperous staff and clients need to be treated properly and this diplomacy will be part of your skillset.
Problem Solving Skills– you need to be ready for every error that could come up with a quick and effective solution. The better your problem solving skills the quicker you’ll be able to resolve issues on site and with the clients, if they were to arise.
One of the best things about working in construction management is that every day is different. Dealing with different people on a day to day basis is a real deciding factor for some people. Another key perk of this type of job is seeing all your work come to fruition. The satisfaction of a finished construction project is one of the best feelings a construction manager can have.