The building and planning sector is a significant source of employment for graduates. Graduate training schemes exist for planning and development surveyors, civil and structural engineers, quantity surveyors, environmental engineers, architects and in construction management.
Skills and qualities needed vary depending on the specialism pursued. However there is a core set of skills that employers look for including:

• the ability to prioritise and meet multiple deadlines
  
• a logical approach to work
  
• strong spatial awareness
  
• excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills
  
• the ability to work effectively within a team environment and on your own initiative.

Planning and development surveyor

Planning and development surveyors are concerned with investigating, planning and managing proposals relating to regeneration, re-development and development projects. They conduct development and planning appraisals, feasibility studies, market appraisals, environmental assessments and retail impact assessments, and assess transport and infrastructure requirements. Development surveyors will advise clients on issues including property acquisition and raising finance, and will be involved with negotiating tenders and overseeing planning applications. Planning generally occurs in the public sector and development within the private sector.

Opportunities exist for graduate planning and development surveyors within local authorities, private practice, government departments, construction firms, property developers and conservation bodies.

To attain chartered status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in Northern Ireland it is necessary to have studied an RICS accredited degree or postgraduate programme together with two years of relevant work experience (see www.rics.org). Gaining chartered status within the Republic of Ireland involves passing the exams or obtaining exemptions from the Society of Chartered Surveyors followed by a two year period of work experience. A list of programmes in the Republic of Ireland that offer full/partial exemption from the examinations of the Society of Chartered Surveyors can be found on their website at www.scs.ie/careerzone/.

Quantity surveyor

Chartered quantity surveyors work on a range of building projects in the public and private sector including roads, hospitals, residential, retail and hotel developments, and sports stadiums, and are concerned with advising clients on costs relating to proposed building projects.

Specific responsibilities include:

• controlling the commercial management of projects
  
• advising on probable costs of construction schemes and on the cost of alternative plans
  
• preparing and controlling budgets and cost plans
  
• interim and final accounts
  
• tender packages
  
• procuring sub-contractors
  
• pricing and negotiating extra works
  
• maintaining a log of site activity
  
• advising on the choice of materials
  
• liaising with site management and suppliers
  
• reporting measured quantities for cost control and overrun
  
• preparing variation orders
  
• preparing progress reports
  
• managing sub contract and progress payments.

Generally, chartered quantity surveyors work in professional services firms. However opportunities do exist within building contracting firms, government departments, semi-state bodies, and public authorities.

Construction management

Construction managers are also referred to as site managers and building managers. They are generally employed by contractors but opportunities also exist within local authorities and construction firms. They are responsible for undertaking the strategic planning and co-ordination of construction activities to ensure that the required personnel, plant and machinery and materials are available to enable the project to be completed on time, within budget and to the agreed quality.

Responsibilities include:

• coordinating the processes and timetables required to complete a project
  
• monitoring the progress and quality of work
  
• liaising with owners, designers, contractors and suppliers
  
• organising bids for specific parts of a project
  
• signing off on subcontractor work
  
• quality control
  
• monitoring time and costs
  
• supervising and co-ordinating sub contractors and suppliers
  
• ensuring that the site conforms with all health and safety regulations.

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is the leading professional body for managers in construction: www.ciob.org.uk.

Further information

For more information see the gradireland Construction sector career guide, available to download from our Publications page.

Written by Caroline Kennedy, Careers & Opportunities Officer, National College of Ireland.