When might people decide to take on site manager jobs? Construction workers usually start their careers as unskilled labourers, as this is a good way for them to test the water.
Typically, labour jobs do not require any formal education or experience, which makes them attractive for those who are just starting out in life.
However, candidates will not normally want to spend their careers as labourers. The hours can be long, the work tiring and the wages not very high in the long term.
This is why they may look for opportunities for progression like becoming a site manager, should no specific department be calling towards them. If you've decided to become a site manager, these site manager interview questions could be of assistance.
Managing a construction site.
Here, we will take a look at what it takes to become a construction site manager.
Formative education.
Becoming a site manager requires candidates to have a decent, well-rounded formative education profile. This means candidates will need to hold the bare minimum of GCSEs at passing grades, with particular attention being paid to the big three: English, maths and science.
It is also beneficial for applicants to hold A Level qualifications. Sometimes, candidates will also find themselves able to apply for construction trades within a local college to gain entry-level qualifications that are necessary to qualify for becoming a site manager.
Some should attend adult education courses to bring up their skills to recognised qualified standards in order to gain access to post-secondary education.
Post-secondary education.
Site foremen and managers can either reach that position through exceptional practical experience or a university degree in civil engineering.
The latter is perhaps the better pathway to take, as many construction companies will require site managers to be adequately educated in order to comply with insurance requirements imposed by external companies.
Entry requirements for these courses vary, but will understandably involve having excellent grades at GCSE and A Level in order to progress as a young learner. Mature students may be granted exception to rules, depending on individual circumstances.
Additional training.
Future site managers will need additional qualifications, which include the IOSH or the Construction Managers Safety Certificate. They will also need to hold full UK driver's license in order to operate machinery on private sites, but not on publicroads, unless they have a specific license pertaining to that particular vehicle.
It is also wise for site managers to brush up their general computer skills. Having a fundamental understanding of the Microsoft Office package is essential.
Chartered status.
Chartered status is based on education and experience, so prospective site managers who want the most attractive roles available to them will be required to be registered as Chartered Construction Managers.
This scheme, which is largely voluntary, proves that the candidate is someone who has achieved significant academic and professional experience and would be deemed a truly safe option to lead a site.
This is especially important for private insurers, who will be scrutinising the foremen and his or her team in order to determine the risk that a team poses to the insurance company.
CSCS black card.
The final step in becoming a highly employable site manager is acquiring the Black Card. This is a fast-track NVQ course for those with chartered status, which allows candidates to progress to a Level 7 NVQ in project management or a Level 6 NVQ in site management.
Project management tends to be the more popular choice, as it grants site managers greater amounts of flexibility when it comes to choosing positions and making further career choices.