Staff working in the construction sector will be required at the very beginning of a project, where quantity surveyors and estimators are needed, and also whilst specific projects are in the construction phase (site management).<br><br>
Senior managers may also be required to manage projects across a multiple number of sites. Roles are quite different, with some requiring on-going study and further qualifications whilst others are more dependent upon experience and learning on the job.<br><br><h2>Housing projects need a wide variety of skills</h2>
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At the start of any housing project, staff such as quantity surveyors and estimators will be employed to plan out the construction plan and forecast how much the build will cost. Quantity surveyors will be tasked with running cost planning, procurement and budgetary control throughout the lifecycle of the construction phase, whilst estimators will be specifically involved in quantifying the amount and value of materials and manpower required to do the job. Both require good project management and mathematical skills, as well as an understanding of the practical implementation of calculations – how much a project will be lengthened by reducing the number of construction workers, for example.<br><br>
Once a housing project is up and running, site agents and/or site managers become vital. These employees need to be onsite throughout the project overseeing the build, making sure the construction is going to plan and on time. They are usually responsible for recruitment and day to day budgeting and staff management. Site agents and managers require good people management skills, excellent planning and timekeeping, and the ability to multitask across a variety of issues every day.<br><br><h2>Some roles require dedicated qualifications, others can be learnt on the job</h2>
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Specific health & safety officers will often be needed on medium to large size projects. These employees will be tasked with understanding all the relevant legislation and ensuring that all site employees – including management – adhere to them, resolving any issues and keeping incident records up to date. These officers are likely to require relevant qualifications and need to be able to clearly and effectively communicate across all levels of an organisation.<br><br>
On very big projects, or when construction firms have a number of similar projects on the go at once (say several residential building sites in the same area), they employ housing managers who will oversee the projects together. It may be that cost savings can be acquired by purchasing or employing for all projects at once, for example, and by having one manager control all projects the firm can make the most efficient use of resources. Both planning and management skills are thus important for this responsible role.<br><br>
Many of these housing jobs are roles that those with the right skills can work towards without having to undertake further qualifications, though there will often be on-site learning required – there are no specific career exams to become a site agent, for example, but agents would be expected to attain a good understanding of site health and safety legislation. Quantity surveyors are usually graduates who then work towards a professional qualification from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, though as with other housing roles, this study occurs alongside regular employment.