Site Manager Jobs – Young Jobseeker Info

Site manager job trends

What entry qualifications and training do you need for this job?

School, college and training

Most site managers have qualifications like an HDN, foundation degree or a degree accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). These qualifications will be in subjects like:

• Building engineering or building studies
• Surveying or civil engineering
• Construction engineering
• Construction site management
• Estimating

While at school, aim for at least GCSEs or their equivalent with passing grades along the lines of 9-4 (A*-C) in subjects like maths and at least one science. It is also useful to pass at least two A-levels or their equivalents. Maths and a science may be required for certain types of relevant degree.

You could do a three-year degree course at a college or university, or make it a four-year sandwich course which would include a year-long work placement with an employer in the construction industry.

Working while you learn

An alternative route is to enter the construction industry via an entry level position, like a construction technician. You could then take an HND, HNC, or part-time degree. Some courses that would be a good match for you include:

• BTEC/SQA Higher National Diploma (HND) in Construction
• BTEC/SQA Higher National Certificate (HND) in Construction

You may be able to arrange time off for study while you train with your current employer.

Apprenticeships

A number of employers offer construction management apprenticeships suitable for those with GCSEs or the equivalent in five subjects including English, science and maths. On completion of the apprenticeship you will gain qualifications like an HNC in Constructions. You may also gain ACIOB status or equivalent qualifications, along with industry certificates in Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme and Site Managers’ Safety.

While at school or college, speak to your careers advisor about useful training and/or courses for you to take and find out more about the types of career routes available.

Career progression and further qualifications

As a site supervisor or site manager you’re already in a leadership position. However, with time and experience you could move into contract management or becoming a consultant. You could also move into similar areas of work like health and safety and building inspection, if you take on further training.

What experience do you need for site management jobs?

Work experience

To become a site manager you’ll need previous experience of working on a construction site. Aim to get construction work experience to build your CV as early as you can. This can involve:

• Work shadowing (even if it’s just for a day)
• Work placements in a company
• Year-long industry placements on a sandwich degree course

Volunteering

• Ask any friends or family in the building trade if you can help them out on construction projects to get a feel for the work involved and how teams work together as a unit.
• Look for volunteering opportunities that involve construction work – like renovating a community youth club.

Apprenticeships

You can get into construction with an apprenticeship which gives you an industry-recognised qualification while you’re learning on the job. An apprenticeship is a way to build skills, knowledge, and experience – while getting paid for it.

What skills do you need for site management jobs?

Useful skills to highlight to your employer when applying for jobs as a site supervisor or manager include:

• Leadership qualities – being able to motivate and manage teams
• Communication skills – you’ll be talking with everyone from clients and subcontractors to members of the public
• Problem solving and logistic skills – being able to come up with logical solutions and make sure things work in an efficient way
• Planning and organisation skills
• Good judgment for making decisions and thinking about task priorities
• Good number and IT skills – you’ll be using special construction management software

Vocational qualifications and work experience will help you build these skills over time.

What does a site manager do?

Knowing a little more about site management will help you show employers that you understand what this job is about. It can also help you decide if it’s right for you.

As a site manager you’ll be in charge of what happens on a construction site, from the start of the project until it’s done. It takes great leadership, but it also takes a good head for organisation and the diplomacy to get everyone working at their best even when things don’t go as expected.

First you’ll need to scope out a programme for how the work will go ahead, then supervise it and keep everyone from clients to architects aware of how things are going. Your day will be full of variety. You’ll be doing everything from thinking about budget and transport of materials to keeping everyone motivated and working as a team.

Example job responsibilities:

• Checking over site designs, drawings and reports
• Carrying out site safety inspections, putting health and safety first
• Carrying out quality control checks on things like building materials
• Leading a team and motivating them, including the supervision of contracted construction operatives
• Communicating progress and challenges with people like architects, surveyors and clients.

Your first steps into site management jobs

To find jobs for young people in this role, search on job boards for vacancies with words like these in the title:

• Trainee assistant site manager
• Trainee site manager
• Graduate construction manager
• Entry-level construction project manager
• Junior construction manager

Useful organisations and links for site management careers

• Go Construct - see more info on how to become a site manager, and discover other careers in construction.
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) – Find out about Construction qualifications