Your job will entail overseeing construction work on job sites. This is from the conceptual stage to the final stage. This includes drawing up a time schedule for all the construction activities and coordinating these activities, coming up with the most cost-effective way of handling projects and overseeing the hiring and firing of employees, such as construction contractors, engineers, architects, metal workers, plumbers and electricians.Construction management also involves ensuring that the required construction licenses are attained, the construction design and plan is implemented and quality equipments and materials are always available and utilized. Construction managers may monitor construction progress through the help of various supervisor’s or contract managers.
How to Become a Construction Manager
You will need a High School Diploma. Then post High school education in Building sciences. Having management education will be a plus.
You will also need some practical experience in the construction industry before becoming a construction manager. This can be achieved through an internship during college education or after.
Certification is not a must but is advisable for instance from the American Institute of Constructors.
Types, Description, Information
You can become a construction manager in different crafts such as plumbing, electrical, masonry and carpentry. After gaining considerable experience in the construction industry, one can choose to become a consultant.
Courses, Training, Programs
Some of the training courses you can study in college to become a construction manager include; Bachelor of Science in Construction Science, Civil Engineering and Construction Management. These are four year degree programs. Business Management and Business Administration training courses will be an added advantage since they give one management skills. There are also certification online programs which offer Master’s programs in Construction. Most colleges offer two year training courses for those who want to pursue construction management career.
Some of the classes you will undergo in a construction management career training program include introduction to Construction estimating, Blueprint Reading, Project Management, site planning, design, building codes and standards and business and financial management.
Schools, Colleges, Universities
Colleges give entrance exams as a prerequisite to admission. You will also need your high school transcripts. Some popular colleges that offer training to construction managers include:
College of Eastern Utah in Utah
Triton College in Illinois
Lakeland College in Illinois
Herisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania
Penn Foster Career School- Online
Job Opportunities, Salaries and Recruitment
The job outlook for those in construction management careers is good and is expected to be so until 2014 since there are many job openings and few qualified people to fill up these positions. Most 4th year graduates are usually hired as assistant project managers.
The average pay for construction managers is $55,000. Pay usually depends on the size of the project being worked on and the contractor