To go forward with a career in this sector you need to be sure what kind of work you want to do as some of the jobs are very specialist. Some of the possibilities and requirements you will need are below:
- Plant mechanic - This job entails being able to identify faults with machinery on the plant site such as bulldozers, cranes and diggers. Once you have found the fault you need to know exactly how to dismantle and repair or replace the faulty pieces, this type of mechanic are encouraged to try and repair rather than replace pieces on the vehicles because there parts are so expensive. You will need to be able to work without supervision and be fine working under ground, at heights and in all types of weather. There are a number of ways to enter into this type of career most starting after your GCSE's it is possible to become an apprentice up to the age of 24, but most start between 16 and 19.
Construction manager - This job requires a little more training as you will have to learn how to get your team to work fast but to high quality standards and also sticking to a budget. You have to have good communication skills as you often have to report regularly to the person you are carrying out the work for. As well as the customer you will need to meet with architects, surveyors and engineers to discuss progress and costs. You must have a good knowledge of building regulations and you should also have good numeracy and computer skills for the planning, it is also very important for you to be health and safety conscious. To enter this career you tend to need higher education qualifications usually 5 GCSEs and 2 A levels including maths and science are asked for but some employers may ask for a degree also.- Plant operator - This position involves being able to operate the large plant vehicles. You will be required to flatten land for construction to begin and also dig the foundations if you are required to. Once the land is prepared for construction you will be required to use machines such as cranes to place the construction materials in the required position. As well as the ability to operate the machines you will need to have some basic knowledge on the maintenance and repair of them. There are no actual qualifications required for the job but an employer may ask for certain GCSEs such as maths or technology, it is also possible to start as an apprentice usually between 16-19.
There are so many different career paths you could take and all specialising in different areas so ensuring you have chosen the right one for you is very important before starting training. However, once you have the basic requirements for one of the positions it may be possible for you to change positions with in a company.
