What Training Is Required To Become A Construction Manager For A Licensed Builder?
Builders who use construction managers look for employees who have at least a bachelor’s degree in building science, civil engineering, or construction science, or the equivalent practical experience from working as a builder most of their lives. They need to understand how to execute contracts, be able to read plans, know what the local code and regulations are, and be able to determine specifications. Knowing civil engineering is a plus in this position and practical experience in a construction trade – whether gained through an internship or apprenticeship – is a big plus.
Builders who are working as a construction manager usually attain their positions upon receiving their degree and the appropriate amount of experience. Many of them have also worked as construction craft workers. Craft workers are carpenters, masons, plumbers, electricians, and others that fall into this category. They could also have gained their experience after fulfilling jobs as constriction supervisors or as owners of contracting firms. While experience in the field used to be enough to allow people to become construction managers, many companies today are looking for people who have gone on and taken specialized classes after high school.
Most colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in these construction programs. Each degrees curriculum usually include at the minimum classes in: project control and development; site planning; construction methods; design; value analysis; cost estimating; scheduling; contract administration; engineering; codes and standards; and additional classes that fall within the general contracting and building purview. Many builders will hire fresh college graduates as assistants to project managers, field engineers, and other managers on a large construction job. Some students from construction related fields, like engineering, also take construction management classes to broaden their field of expertise.
Some colleges and universities offer a master’s degree in construction management and construction science and these degree recipients usually go one to work for large builder and general contractors. It is often to find students in unrelated fields already holding a bachelor’s degree go on to a master’s in construction management or for a student holding a bachelor’s in construction management to get a masters in business administration. Students who go on to obtain a doctorate in one of these fields usually become the college professors for the next generation of builders.
Currently there is no requirement for certification and licensure in the construction management field. Builders can however become voluntarily certified in the field which gives credence to their skills and experience. They can also qualify for special awards within the field that also helps show prospective customers the builder’s dedication to their job. Many people who become construction managers often go on to land high level positions in general contracting firms or start their own general contracting businesses. These builders then take on all of the responsibilities related to construction and project management from start to finish.
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