Boom will let you build yourself a brighter future
THE CONSTRUCTION industry is battling to attract new blood, and more than 150,000 jobs will be created over the next five years, many for managers and professionals.
‘Housing and infrastructure are expanding,’ says Steve Radley, policy director at the Construction Industry Training Board, ‘and professional and managerial roles will grow by 7.8 pc and 5.6 pc.’
There will be demand for civil engineers, architects, surveyors, construction and project managers, and mechanical engineers.
Pippa Hepworth, 27, from Cheshunt, Hertforshire, who works for the regeneration business of energy and services specialist, ENGIE, says: ‘The prospect of a nine-to-five desk job made me shiver.’
Pippa completed a construction degree on day-release, paid for by ENGIE, and in that time, changed disciplines from estimating to quantity surveying.
She says: ‘In four years, I have gone from from assistant to quantity surveyor (QS) and been promoted to senior QS. Dan Germann, ENGIE regional managing director says: ‘Firms in the trade know upskilling the next generation is paramount, so staff are offered unrivalled training and development prospects.’
Construction companies offering graduate schemes include Morgan Sindall, Mace and Laing O’Rourke.
Construction industry growth will also increase demand for people with trade skills, financial managers, IT specialists, legal professionals/ solicitors, HR professionals, and health, safety and environment specialists.
SEE business.engie.co.uk/about-us/ careers/early-careers/ or the construction careers website goconstruct.org, citb.co.uk, and rics.org — the website of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.