64 / 140
Sector Outlook
The built environment is a relatively new sector but one that offers a variety of job roles
involving the design, construction and management of man made structures. The industry
overlaps to some extent with construction and engineering but largely offers opportunities
in architecture, urban design, surveying, town planning and landscape design.
The construction and built environment industry is the largest employer in the UK employing
more than 10% of the UK workforce. Employers are looking to attract candidates who are
practical, creative, good at problem solving, and keen to improve the world around us.
It’s worth knowing that for architecture you will need to train for at least 7 years and
complete a minimum of two years in practice before being considered as a registered
professional. However, if you don’t want to train for a lengthy period of time you could
consider a career in either urban design or town planning. Urban design is a new exciting
discipline that is very much in demand as it involves the design of groups of buildings,
landscapes and urban spaces. Town planners are also in demand so now is a great time
to enter the profession.
If you want a career that can offer you either variety or the oppor tunity to specialise
then you could consider land surveying and analysis. Oppor tunities exist within
construction, proper ty, map-making, offshore engineering and the use of electronic
methods for mapping landscapes.
A high priority for many employers today is to embrace new construction technologies
as we move towards a low carbon based economy so you could improve your chances
of employment by gaining specialist skills. It’s also wor th knowing that the Government
intends to spend around one hundred and nine billion pounds until 2020 on a number
of major projects such as High Speed Rail 2, flood defences, major road schemes and
the construction 165, 000 new homes. Another six billion pounds is to be spent on
resurfacing road networks. Other significant developments in the pipeline include the
building of more offshore wind farms, upgrading to the 4G communications network
and the development of a tram system in Leeds.
To find out more contact the Construction Industry Council
(www.cic.org.uk). The Council
can provide you with information and guidance on careers in the built environment and
provide you with resources, films and career route maps. To help launch your career speak to
people who work in the industry, attend careers fairs and try to get relevant work experience.
Built Environment