Tag Archive for: construction insights

How do I start a career in Construction Project Management

Learn how to start a career in Construction Project Management with FBR Recruitment

Learn how to start a career in Construction Project Management with FBR Recruitment
Starting a career in construction project management can be daunting for anyone. Like with all careers, there isn’t one route that works for everyone. The way people find their career path varies.

Speak to anyone in any industry and they will have their own story. There are however, some consistencies across multiple industries and routes into work. They begin with entry level roles, and move deeper into other avenues of education and on the job training.

Entry level construction project management roles

As with all industries, there are entry level roles that can help you get started in your career in construction project management.

The first entry level construction project management role would be a trainee position. This would require you to have some experience within the construction industry. However you will not be solely responsible for all the tasks of a construction project manager. You will learn from the people above you as you train.

Another entry level position is a project assistant. This role would require you to assist the project manager in their tasks and help with the overall workload.

How to start a career in construction project management

There are two identifiable routes to starting your career in construction project management. No matter how many people you speak with; they will have taken one or a combination of the two routes into their careers.

Route one – Academic

The first route you can take into construction project management is the academic route. This is where you tailor your education after GCSEs to build towards your career in construction project management. From specific A levels such as Maths, IT and Business courses into undergraduate degrees and postgraduate degrees at University.

You may then also wish to take on various other degrees and accreditations within the industry to further bolster your academic records.

This route isn’t for everyone as it requires the time spent in education where coursework and exams are part of the process.

Route two – Work your way up

An alternative route is through experience and working within the construction industry directly. Here you will look at more vocational ways of training. That would be through on the job training with additional courses to supplement your qualifications. Or alternatively, some construction firms may offer apprenticeship level courses.

Working your way up through the ranks holds a lot of merit as you have direct experience working in each aspect of the projects you would be managing in the future.

The vocational way of getting into construction project management may take more or less time depending on the industry at the time. When there is an increase in demand for construction project managers you may find yourself thrust into the position.

Going the vocational route doesn’t mean you won’t have access to additional courses which you can take to supplement your experience. These courses can be done in your own time and are less pressured than traditional academic routes.

No matter how you want to get into construction project management, finding the right recruitment agency to help you in your career is essential. Here at FBR, we work with you to find the right role with the right company.

View our Jobs Board now to see what roles we have on offer. Already found something you like? Contact us now.

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What is the role of project manager in construction projects?

Read about the role of a Construction Project Manager

Read about the role of a Construction Project Manager
A construction project manager is an important role in all construction projects. Having someone who understands each phase of the project and is actively involved in ensuring it is on budget and completed within the deadline is a necessity.

Construction project management requires a few key skills, knowledge of construction sites. This will ensure that the project is run safely. Leadership skills, to help keep the team on track with the necessary tasks. Attention to detail and excellent communication skills.

This role is suited to those with a can-do attitude and high amounts of persistence and determination. Here at FBR, we believe that when you understand what is required of you in a job, only then can you shine and make the right decisions. For more details on a Construction Project Manager Job Description and Salary read our blog.

Why do construction projects need a project manager?

Construction projects are huge projects that require various phases. Each phase is essential to getting construction projects completed on time and within budget. A project manager is key to ensuring that construction projects are kept on schedule and run with all the health and safety requirements in mind.

There are lots of people who work on a construction project. A construction project manager is the one who understands each part of the project and roles the team has to play.

What are the differences between a project manager and construction project manager?

There are a few differences between a project manager and a construction project manager. The main difference is that a project manager doesn’t always work on a construction site. A construction project manager almost always works on the construction site and managers the project as it’s being built. There may be days where a construction project manager isn’t on site, but they may be few and far between.

The skills that a project manager needs are all the same regardless of area. However, a construction project manager also requires in depth knowledge of health and safety regulations that need to be met on site. This is to ensure that the team is kept safe in their working environment as well as ensuring that the project meets the regulatory standards necessary.

Day to day tasks of a project manager in construction

The day to day tasks of a project manager in construction can vary. However, each day it is essential that a construction project manager checks in with any deliveries or budget requests. This helps keep the project running smoothly as well as on budget.

A construction project manager will also delegate tasks to other team members and ensure that the tasks are completed. If there are any issues within the project it will be the responsibility of the construction project manager to use initiative and leadership skills to help solve the problem.

Understanding the details of a role is essential to making the right career decisions. Here at FBR, we believe that there is the right role for everyone. When you find the right job you can continue to grow and evolve in your career. For more information on all our roles visit our Jobs Board.

Found a role that’s right for you? Contact our construction recruitment experts.

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Can a construction worker be automated out of a job

Construction workers automated out of jobs

Construction workers automated out of jobs
With so much going on around AI and technology, it is no wonder that people ask if construction workers can be automated out of a job.

While there are many benefits to technology and automation; that doesn’t automatically equal job replacements. There are many aspects of construction work that will need to be carried out by humans. However, with the advancement of technology and AI, we may find that the way we go about construction jobs changes and evolves.

As technology becomes more advanced and capable, many processes can be streamlined and sped up. This will free up time for employees to really focus on things that matter, this can make a huge difference to construction work.

So let’s look into how technology can be used to enhance construction jobs?

How can technology be used to enhance construction jobs?

There are three key ways technology can be used to enhance construction jobs, don’t worry these will make your work-life easier.

Reduce physical labour

One way is to reduce the amount of physical labour needed in the construction process. Automated machines and robots can be used for various tasks like digging, carrying, moving and lifting materials, etc. This saves time and energy from having to do all of this physical labour manually.

This also can create safer work environments for construction workers. As we all know there are many tasks that have to be carried out in specific ways in order to be done safely. With the introduction of specific machines, we can reduce workplace accidents in the construction industry and make it safer for all those involved.

Improve 3D printing and materials

Another way is to make use of 3D printing technology in order to create construction materials faster and with more accuracy. 3D printing can be used for creating models, prototypes, and even final products that are cheaper, lighter, and stronger than traditional materials.

This will result in more time and effort being put into the design process to ensure the end result is exactly right. Having more time to design and plan will be extremely beneficial for many construction job roles, in particular for those who are design engineers, CAD draughtsmen, and more.

Project management and the use of AI

The use of automation and AI is becoming increasingly popular in the field of construction management. This allows for better project planning and scheduling, as well as more accurate estimating of costs and time frames. Automation can also make it easier to track progress, reduce paperwork and automate the billing process.

This helps streamline processes and allows project managers, construction managers, and others to spend time focusing on the things that matter.

There are so many ways that technology can be used to improve construction jobs, from reducing physical labour to using 3D printing for better materials to using AI for better project management. People only fear what is new, and technology advancing has never replaced jobs entirely, only changed the landscape of work.

If you are looking for a new challenge in construction contact our team at FBR today. We focus on finding the right role for the right person. Our team of experts is able to help guide you through the recruitment process, from checking relevant qualifications and more. Contact us today.

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Why do you think millennials don’t want construction jobs?

Do millennials want to work in construction?

Do millennials want to work in construction?

Do millennials want construction jobs? This is quite a common question in our industry and it’s no wonder that with how the job market consistently changes.

In past generations manual labour jobs were common. Now with the rise in technology more office based jobs take up the market share. So the question is do we think millennials don’t want construction jobs?

It is important to remember, that the youngest millennial is in fact mid twenties. So millennials are not the youngest generation in the workforce. This offers clarification on who we are talking about.

It may surprise you to hear that it’s not all on millennials. As the younger generation reaches the workforce, what they are looking for from an employer is different to the ones before them.

Work Life balance is key for many younger generations, and businesses in all industries need to consider this when recruiting new employees. Millennials are the generation who have been told to work smarter not harder. This means if there is a way to make a role simpler then they will explore that. Businesses who remain trapped in old processes may lose out to new talent.

So the question isn’t that millennials don’t want to work in construction, but how can construction companies recruit millennials?

How have construction jobs changed?

Since the beginning of time construction has always been a part of life. From building houses, highways, industrial estates, warehouses, and more.

Before technology many tasks in construction relied upon a manual process. From taking measurements, surveying lands, and more. As technology evolved, so did the construction industry. Measurements became digitalised, as did plans and designs, even now surveys can be completed with various technology such as drones.

As technology continues to evolve so will the landscape of construction roles, as long as businesses embrace these changes.

Improving with technology and other advancements will ultimately change the way a construction job is done. This means gone are the days of pencils, hauling and handling with only a wheelbarrow.

So it is not so much that millennials aren’t working in construction roles. They are simply working in a different capacity to what a construction role previously entailed.

How to appeal to younger generations in the job market

Younger generations, and the younger millennials look for work life balance and flexibility. There are many roles which offer this and as such construction companies need to consider ways in which they can also offer flexibility.

Another key thing to consider when looking to recruit younger generations, is what could their career path look like? Gone are the days of chasing a job title and income for status. Millennials and those younger want to make an impact and improve the world around them. If they can do this through their job then they will be far more fulfilled and stay in jobs longer.

Using this, businesses will need to look at ways they can streamline their internal processes and make better business decisions that have positive impacts on the environment and world.

Additionally, while money isn’t everything millennials look for. They know their worth and expect to be paid for it. This means you can’t expect minimum salaries for high flying jobs.

The construction industry is a fast moving industry in terms of recruitment. Having a recruitment agent who understands your needs is essential to finding the right talent. Here at FBR recruitment, our experts are on hand to make sure you find the right person for the right job. Contact us today.

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