Civil and Structural Engineering
‘Today, civilisation relies more than ever on teams of inventive people to design, build and maintain the sophisticated environment that surrounds us. (Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) on its website)
Civil engineers design and build lots of the structures we see in the built environment every day – things we take for granted – things as varied as bridges, roads, power stations, water supply systems, sports arenas and mobile phone towers.
Structural engineers design the framework and foundations for many of these structures. They build with concrete, brick, steel, timber and other materials.
Everyone working this sector must help make sure the structures stay up and are safe as long as they are used. They must make sure that water continues to flow through our taps and that our mobile phones always have a good signal.
If you work in this sector, you will do a job which is essential to the lives we lead.
Civil engineering technicians and operatives work with the engineers, doing different jobs on the construction sites. Operatives in water works maintain the works, and pipes which carry fresh water and sewage.
If you work in this sector you must be practical, have an interest in technology and be aware of safety issues. You must be prepared to work closely with other team members to meet deadlines, although you may sometimes have to work alone. You must be prepared to work outside on construction sites in all weathers!
As an engineer, you must be able to handle complex information, deal with problems and organise the work. As a technician you need to be able to direct work on the site. As an operative you should be strong and reliable.
You do not always need qualifications to get into work as an operative, but it helps to have Standard grades. To get work as a technician you will probably need a National Certificate (NC), National Qualification (NQ), Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) in civil engineering. To become an engineer you need a degree in civil or structural engineering.
In the past few years there have been building works all over the country. Although it is true that the recent problems in the financial sector have led to a downturn in construction projects, there is always a need for new and upgraded infrastructure. Job prospects in this sector, as in most sectors of the construction industry, have been good until recently. Graduates have had a low unemployment rate but in 2008, it was 8.5%, compared with the average graduate unemployment rate of 7.9%.