Jobs and Careers Summer 2023 - 339

CONSTRUCTION
Building diversity in the sector
The construction industry is still a white maledominated
industry. According to the Chartered
Institute of Building (CIOB), women make up just
15% of the workforce (2% working on site), only
6% are black and ethnic minorities, and 6% are
disabled. Practical problems in on-site work may
include a lack of female-sized protective equipment,
and the availability of facilities such as toilets.
However, there is currently a shift towards a
greater understanding of the benefits of diversity
and inclusion, and a focus on making improvements
for many employers and industry bodies. There are
efforts to make the industry less macho and more
welcoming to people of all genders, ethnicities,
sexual orientations and disabilities. Although
women are still a tiny minority in hands-on building
work, they're increasingly moving into managerial
and administrative roles.
In 2021, the CIOB appointed an Equality, Diversity
and Inclusion Transformation Lead to examine
recruitment practices and culture, support underrepresented
groups to access career opportunities,
and ensure that educational materials, events and
conferences are inclusive and accessible to all.
manager's responsibility to identify
these risks before they cause any harm.
You'll need to figure out the costs and
legal issues involved, as well as providing
plans and support to enable companies
to avoid problems in future.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
A degree in risk management may be
required, although if you have studied
business, management, economics or
engineering, you could still be a risk
manager - perhaps topping up your
degree with a qualification from the
Institute of Risk Management.
How much can I earn? Salaries start at
£20,000 to £30,000. Senior managers
can earn £45,000, rising as high as
£75,000 with experience.
materials, assisting project managers and
ensuring working conditions are safe.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
Alongside qualifications in construction
or civil engineering, you'll also need a
Construction Skills Certification Scheme
(CSCS) card. Experience is useful, health
and safety training is essential, and a full
driving licence is usually required so you
can travel easily between sites.
How much can I earn? Salaries start
around £28,000, rising to £40,000 or
more depending on experience and the
size and complexity of the project.
Environmental adviser
The environmental impact of any
building venture has to be assessed,
and as an adviser, you'll address issues
related to the construction, including
air quality, water contamination and
waste management. You'll need to write
reports, liaise with clients, stakeholders
and other relevant parties, and stay up to
date with the latest changes in building
regulations and environmental law.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
Although you can land a job with a
Level 6 diploma in Environmental
Management, most employers will
require a degree, ideally in a relevant
discipline such as environmental
sciences or geography. You can also
gain professional qualifications from
the Institute of Environmental
Management & Assessment (IEMA).
How much can I earn? Newly trained
environmental advisers generally earn
at least £20,000, rising to £38,000 with
seniority. If you progress to become
an environmental engineer, you can
expect to earn up to £90,000 or more.
Risk manager
There are a lot of things that can go
wrong in construction, and it's a risk
Heritage officer
Many construction projects include
buildings of historical or cultural
importance. A heritage officer will
ensure that these sites are being treated
with appropriate sensitivity. You'll need
to research sites, review the plans and
ensure that deadlines, budgets and
conservation standards are met. This
may involve collaborating with private
companies and local officials.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
A degree in a related subject such as
history, building conservation or
architecture will certainly be helpful,
as will a postgraduate qualification in
historic management or conservation.
English Heritage, Historic England
and the National Trust have developed
trainee programmes and apprenticeships
as an alternative to a degree; entry
requires A-Levels.
How much can I earn? Around £18,500,
rising to £50,000 as a senior inspector or
manager on more prominent projects.
Find out more
* Construction Industry
Training Board
citb.co.uk
* Construction Skills
Certification Scheme
cscs.uk.com
* Go Construct
goconstruct.org
* Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors
rics.org/uk
jobsandcareersmag.com /// JOBS & CAREERS /// 339
CONSTRUCTION &
MANUFACTURING
http://citb.co.uk http://cscs.uk.com http://goconstruct.org http://rics.org/uk http://jobsandcareersmag.com
Jobs and Careers Summer 2023

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