Question
My son is in year 10 and shows a lot of interest into property/architectures. I have 3 questions
- What is the future job prospects for site managers and other roles in this area. Is it something worth studying now? Will there be an increasing or decreasing need for it?
- What will he need to study from sixth form which will lead to becoming a site manager Short/long term plan?
- Is work experience in the field possible for his age(14) or what should he be doing now with his interest?
He is currently looking for work experience as they do in school and I don’t want him to waste the opportunity to gain experience that won’t add to his future goals.
I want him to get his foot on the door as early as possible as it seems to be a “long” path.
Betty
Reply
- Future prospects should be very good since there is already a dire shortage of qualified and experienced managers at all levels. As the role becomes more technically focused, the need for qualified people will only intensify.
- Maths and english are generally essential with any science subject being advantageous.
- Work experience is difficult because of the health and safety aspect but shouldn’t be a problem with an office base environment within, say, an architectural or surveying business.
It is a good idea to start young and should be advantageous in the long term.
Trade Backround & Age Factors?
I’m currently doing a Bsc (hons) in building surveying having finished my HNC at night last year. My current role is a site manager/contracts manager for a small company in the commercial and industrial sectors.
I come from a trade background in joinery. I am 42 now and I’m looking for advice of how gain work within the surveying industry whilst I continue my degree.
Do employers see the experience of a trade background as a positive? Also would my age be a negative factor?
Paul
Reply
Trade experience is a positive although employers don’t specifically look for this and, in some extreme cases, it can be a negative factor. Some, not all, large firms like to mould people into their way of thinking which is why they make a big effort to recruit younger graduates with no experience at all rather than older people with a background in the industry.
However, you shouldn’t let this put you off as there are now a lot of smaller firms that are really struggling to find qualified surveyors of any age and this is where you should concentrate your efforts. If I were you I would start contacting local surveying firms about getting some relevant experience. Don’t expect the first firm you contact to bite your hand off though, it will take persistence but, eventually, it should lead to something.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors also have a student membership level and I’d advise you to join as soon as possible; working towards membership really needs to be your first priority.
Ex-Military Looking to Become a Trainee Site Manager
Hi, I am 30 years old and have been in the military for the last 5 years. Zero site experience. Would I be able to get my foot in somewhere as a trainee site manager?
Thanks. Richard
Reply
There are some schemes aimed specifically at ex-military personnel but it would still be difficult because there isn’t one single point of contact to get you started.
However, you could start looking at the MOD’s Career Transition Partnership (CTP) website here: https://www.ctp.org.uk/
Also, Hire a Hero is a charity set up to help ex-forces make the move into civilian life and they may be able to advise further: http://www.hireaherouk.org/
You could also try contacting some companies locally. It is a case of being in the right place at the right time, of course, but definitely worth a shot.
More information:
Persimmon – Ex military opportunities
Network Rail – Armed Forces into Rail