17 best Job profiles in the construction industry in 2016-2017

From Civil engineering to structural engineering construction is a huge sector with a large mixture of roles. If you're a practical person, are interested in how things work and are put together, construction could be the industry for you. I have listed out the following best job profiles to kick start your carrier in the construction industry.

1) Architect

An architect is someone who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practise architecture means to provide services in connection with the design and construction of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings, that have as their principal purpose human occupancy or use. Etymologically, architect derives from the Latin architectus, which derives from the Greek (arkhi-, chief + tekton, builder), i.e.,chief builder.

Professionally, an architect's decisions affect public safety, and thus an architect must undergo specialised training consisting of advanced education and a internship) for practical experience to earn a license to practice architecture. Practical, technical, and academic requirements for becoming an architect vary by jurisdiction.


2) BIM Coordinator

Building information modeling (BIM) is a process involving the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of places. Building information models (BIMs) are files (often but not always in proprietary formats and containing proprietary data) which can be extracted, exchanged or networked to support decision-making regarding a building or other built asset. Current BIM software is used by individuals, businesses and government agencies who plan, design, construct, operate and maintain diverse physical infrastructures, such as water, refuse, electricity, gas, communication utilities, roads, bridges, ports, tunnels, etc.


 3) Project Controller

Project controls are the data gathering, management and analytical processes used to predict, understand and constructively influence the time and cost outcomes of a project or program; through the communication of information in formats that assist effective management and decision making. This definition encompasses all stages of a project or program’s lifecycle from the initial estimating needed to ‘size’ a proposed project, through to reflective learning (lessons learned) and the forensic analysis needed to understand the causes of failure (and develop claims).

Consequently, the project controls discipline can be seen as encompassing:
• Project strategy, undertaking planning and methods studies to help the Project management optimize future outcomes; • Scheduling including development, updating and maintenance; • Cost estimation, cost engineering/control and value engineering; • Risk management, including maintaining the risk register and risk analysis/assessment; • Earned Value Management and Earned Schedule, including WBS, OBS and other breakdown structures, • Document control;
• Forensic Assessment for required diagnosis of schedule and cost
• Supplier performance measurement / oversight (but excluding contract administration); • The elements of a project management methodology that integrate these disciplines both within the ‘controls’ domain and with other project management functions; Put simply, Project Controls encompass the people, processes and tools used to plan, manage and mitigate cost and schedule issues and any risk events that may impact a project. In other words, Project control is essentially equivalent to the project management process stripped of its facilitating sub-processes for safety, quality, organizational, behavioral, and communications management.

4) Surveyor

Surveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them. A land surveying professional is called a land surveyor. These points are usually on the surface of the Earth, and they are often used to establish land maps and boundaries for ownership, locations like building corners or the surface location of subsurface features, or other purposes required by government or civil law, such as property sales.Surveyors work with elements of geometry, trigonometry, regression analysis, physics, engineering, metrology, programming languages and the law. They use equipment like total stations, robotic total stations, GPS receivers, retro-reflectors, 3D scanners, radios, handheld tablets, digital levels, drones, GIS and surveying software.



Surveying has been an element in the development of the human environment since the beginning of recorded history. The planning and execution of most forms of construction require it. It is also used in transport, communications, mapping, and the definition of legal boundaries for land ownership. It is an important tool for research in many other scientific disciplines.

5) CAD Technician

As a CAD or computer-aided design technician, you'll use software to create design plans for buildings and machinery.
You could work in a wide range of industries from engineering and construction to manufacturing.
You could work in 2D design, which is known as surface modeling, or 3D design - called solid modeling.
Initially, you'll use surface modeling to draw a flat representation of the product, for example a new building design. Clients will then see the plans and give feedback, before engineers build and test a prototype.
In solid modeling, you'll create a 3D display of a structure or component. Engineers could then use this to take a 'virtual tour' around the inside of a new building, for example, to plan where to fit electrical cabling. Or they may 'look inside' a piece of manufacturing machinery to see where advancement could be made.
You can also use your designs to help organize cost estimates on projects, and produce assembly instructions and maintenance manuals for installation, service and repair technicians.
You will normally work in a small team, with each technician working on a different part of a project under the guidance of a design engineer.
Note that CAD work may have different names depending on the industry, including:
· Computer aided industrial design (CAID)
· Computer aided engineering (CAE)
· Computer aided styling (CAS)
· Computer aided manufacturing (CAM).

6) Construction Manager

Construction managers are often the main catalyst of construction projects. They are responsible for construction sites 24 hours a day. Common duties of construction managers include planning, directing, and coordinating activity on construction sites, overseeing project design, hiring and supervising workers, choosing contractors, and monitoring supplies. They are also responsible for preparing budgets and estimates, reporting progress to clients, and to fulfil with legal requirements. Construction mangers do not typically do any of the actual construction.

7) Contracts Manager

Construction contracts managers help to win building contracts. They also help to control costs and keep construction projects on track. Projects can include everything from commercial and residential developments to road and rail engineering works.
If you're good with numbers and IT and can pay close attention to detail, you could find a career as a construction contracts manager very rewarding.
To do this job you will need experience in the construction industry, although you may be able to get in if you have a background in contracting and managing projects in other sectors.

8) Commercial Manager

Commercial management is the non-technical business disciplines within a company or organization, particularly the administration of revenue and expenses to generate a financial return. Its origins appear to go back to the defence and construction industries in the United Kingdom in the 1590s.

Commercial management within an organization is applied only at policy levels. Commercial policies relate to the rules or practices that define how business will be conducted and the standard terms under which external relationships will be conducted. Many of these policies are reflected in the terms of any contract in which the organization engages. At a transactional level, commercial management is applied through the oversight of trading relationships to ensure their conformity with business goals or policies and to understand or manage the financial and risk implications of any variations.

9) Design engineer

Design engineers research and develop ideas for new products and the systems used to make them. They also work to improve the performance and efficiency of existing products.
If you want a professional career in engineering, and are good at problem-solving and generating new ideas, this job could suit you well.
In this job you will need to be able to use computer-aided design software. You will need to be able to combine engineering and design principles.

10) Site Engineer /Site Manager

A site engineer will manage part of a construction project; they also help with technical advice and supervise other members of staff. The work can be varied as projects can range from working on a large-scale housing estate to building a new shopping complex. Site engineers should understand the different needs projects have.
Key tasks of the job include:
· managing parts of construction projects
· overseeing building work
· undertaking surveys
· setting out sites and organising facilities
· supervising contracted staff
· ensuring projects meet agreed specifications, budgets or timescales
· liaising with clients, subcontractors and other professional staff
· checking and preparing site reports, designs and drawings
· providing technical advice
· problem solving
· ordering and negotiating the price of materials
· ensuring site safety

11) Estimation and Costing

Estimators work out how much it is going to cost to supply products and services to their clients.
If you’ve a good head for facts and figures, like being part of a team and want a varied job, this might be a career to suit you.
To do this job well, you’ll need excellent maths and IT skills, the ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and an organised approach.
You can become a junior estimator and work your way up if you have a good general standard of education. Another option is to take a college or university course which covers some of the skills needed to do the job, then apply for work afterwards.

12) Health & Safety Professional

As a health and safety adviser or officer, you would use your knowledge and skills to reduce injuries, accidents and health problems in the workplace. If you have an eye for detail and love problem solving, this could be the ideal job for you.
You will need to be able to apply your communication skills when writing reports or dealing with employers. You’ll also be expected to have a good knowledge of health and safety legislation.
Most health and safety advisers get into this role by either completing a qualification and then looking for work or studying whilst working. It is becoming more common for advisers to enter this profession with a degree level qualification.

13) Planner/Planning Engineer

Prepare and update project schedule based on the contract.
Set work program and target milestones for each phase based on the project plan.
Monitor critical activities based on the project schedule and advise project management. Prepares and submit updated work program and cash flow curve showing actual progress and identify areas of weakness and establishes means and methods for recovery, if any, as well as new critical activities.
Monitor day to day work progress and prepare the weekly and monthly program and report.
Maintain and record update of site work progress obtained from Project Manager.
Prepares monthly report reflecting work progress summary.
Report to the Project Manager about the current work progress and make comparison between plan and actual progress and study impact of alternative approaches to work.
Participate in project meetings and discussions with the Client as required.
Assists in preparing work program, cash flow and manpower histogram for tenders.
Performs other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

14) Project Engineer

Project Engineering bridges the boundaries between engineering and project management, leading the technical workers who contribute to the building of structures or products. In some cases, the project engineer is the same as a project manager but in most cases these two professionals have joint responsibility for leading a project. Project management holds responsibility of every field of engineers

15) Project Manager

A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers have the responsibility of the planning, procurement and execution of a project, in any domain of engineering. Project managers are first point of contact for any issues or discrepancies arising from within the heads of various departments in an organisation before the problem escalates to higher authorities. Project management is the responsibility of a project manager. This individual seldom participates directly in the activities that produce the end result, but rather strives to maintain the progress, mutual interaction and tasks of various parties in such a way that reduces the risk of overall failure, maximises benefits, and minimises costs.

16) Quantity Surveyor

A quantity surveyor (QS) is a professional working within the construction industry concerned with construction costs and contracts.
Services provided by a quantity surveyor may include:
· Cost planning and commercial management throughout the entire life cycle of the project from inception to post-completion
· Value engineering
· Risk management and calculation
· Procurement advice and assistance during the tendering procedures
· Tender analysis and agreement of the contract sum
· Commercial management and contract administration
· Assistance in dispute resolution
· Asset capitalisation· Interim valuations and payment assessment
· Cost management process
· Assessing the additional costs of design variations
· Production of company pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) documentation in line with company policies.

17) Structural Engineer

Structural engineers analyze, design, plan, and research structural components and structural systems to achieve design goals and ensure the safety and comfort of users or occupants. Their work takes account mainly of safety, technical, economic and environmental concerns, but they may also consider aesthetic and social factors.
Structural engineering is usually considered a speciality discipline within civil engineering, but it can also be studied in its own right. In the United States, most practising structural engineers are currently licensed as civil engineers, but the situation varies from state to state. Some states have a separate license for structural engineers which is required to design special or high risk structures such as schools, hospitals, or skyscrapers. In the United Kingdom, most structural engineers in the building industry are members of the Institution of Structural Engineers rather than the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Typical structures designed by a structural engineer include buildings, towers, stadia and bridges. Other structures such asoil rigs, space satellites, aircraft and ships may also be designed by a structural engineer. Most structural engineers are employed in the construction industry, however there are also structural engineers in the aerospace, automobile and shipbuilding industries. In the construction industry, they work closely with architects, civil engineers, mechanical engineers,electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, and construction managers.