W5 - Construction

Construction involves building, maintaining or refurbishing structures including houses, offices, factories, roads, bridges, tunnels and harbours. 

Architects are involved with the design and construction of new buildings and their environment, and the restoration and conservation of older buildings.  They are also involved in urban and rural planning. 

Architectural technologists complete much of the practical work, turning initial designs into working drawings and specifications, possibly using computer aided design. 

Bricklayers build and repair the walls of buildings and other structures, using bricks and a range of other materials. 

Chartered Surveyors advise on a range of activities involving construction, including domestic and commercial building, mineral deposits, and development of the environment. 

Construction managers (project managers / site managers) coordinate work on site, ensuring that it is successfully completed on time and within the finances allocated to the project. 

Electricians lay and replace wiring in buildings, and maintain circuits and service machinery in manufacturing and service industries. 

Landscape architects are involved in conserving and developing the landscape. 

Plumbers install and repair water supplies, heating and ventilation systems, and waste disposal systems, in domestic housing and building sites, factories and hospitals. 

Site engineers are responsible for checking the safety, progress and quality of specific technical aspects of the construction work, and ensuring that they comply with legal and statutory requirements. 

Technical surveyors support chartered surveyors in a range of activities, like housing and building, land and the environment, marine resources, mineral deposits and historic sites.

For further information please see:

Royal Institute of British Architects  

66 Portland Place   London   W1B 1AD
Tel:  020 7580 5533      Fax: 020 7255 1541     Email: info@inst.riba.org
Website:  www.architecture.com - Choose careers

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

RICS Contact Centre   Surveyor Court   Westwood Way   Coventry   CV4 8JE
Tel:  0870 333 1600     Fax: 020 7334 3811     Email: contactrics@rics.org.uk
Website:  www.rics.org - Choose training then qualification routes 

Construction Industry Training Board

CITB – Construction Skills   Bircham Newton   King’s Lynn   Norfolk   PE31 6RH  
Tel:  01485 577577     Fax: 01485 577793     Email: information.centre@citb.co.uk
Website:  www.citb.org.uk - Choose curriculum and careers