Construction management is a crucial element in the building and construction process. It is one of the most important roles in the industry, and rightly so. To discover success in construction management requires a special combination of skills, education and experience.
Still interested? In this article, we’ll look at the five steps you need to take to achieve success as a construction manager.
1. Get Educated
To become a construction manager, the first thing you need to do is get educated. For most, this begins with an apprenticeship of some kind, where you’ll learn the basics of your trade, build up your experience and get familiar with the construction industry. From here, the higher level building and construction courses will give you the extra leg up in theoretical knowledge which is crucial to furthering your career and becoming a construction manager.
Once you’ve successfully completed your apprenticeship, the next step to success in construction management would be more study. For example, our CPC40110 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) will give you the skills and knowledge needed to obtain your building license with the QBCC or NSW Department of Fair Trading and work as a construction manager on residential sites.
From here, if you want to work as a construction manager in residential and commercial settings across a range of fields, studying a CPC50120 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) with us is the next best step.
Being properly educated is a necessary part of the industry, and it’s important to stay that way. It’s worth looking into Continuing Professional Development, to keep up with changes in the industry and improve your construction management skills.
2. Build Up Experience
Your education needs to go hand in hand with your practical experience – onsite and behind the scenes. The more experience you have as a construction manager, the more authority you’ll gain – and the higher you’ll be paid.
Success in construction management is often about variety. This is one of the reason why it’s important to broaden your experience as much as you can. Working on different projects across different sectors (civil engineering, commercial, residential, agricultural, institutional, industrial, etc.) will expand your knowledge and give you insight into different parts of the construction industry.
3. Know your Role
Being a construction manager is a high-pressure role. You’ll play a crucial role in building and construction projects, and be expected to juggle a huge number of responsibilities. These include:
- Reading blueprints
- Setting calendars
- Coordinating workflow
- Supervising and advising staff
- Ensuring health and safety regulations are up to code
- Ensuring materials and machinery are delivered on time
- Handling subcontractors
- Liaising with homeowners and investors
A successful construction manager will be able to handle all of these responsibilities and more. These are things you’ll learn through years of study and hands on experience, so don’t worry if you’re not there just yet.
4. Work on your Leadership Skills
There is no doubting that construction managers are leaders. Good construction managers not only have the right level of experience and an education behind them, they also have the ability to successfully manage other people. While you might already have natural leadership skills, you’ll have to continually work on them to achieve success in construction management. Here are some of the main skills you’ll need.
- The ability to keep your cool under pressure
- Superior communication skills
- Superior problem solving skills
- Great time management and organisation
- The ability to negotiate
- Crisis-management skills
While leadership is one of the main construction management skills to cultivate, it’s also important to listen to the people around you. Be open to learning from others’ expertise, and try to be as hands-on as possible – making sure you’re regularly seen on site. Respect is key in this role, so it’s important to be a leader who is willing to learn.
5. Adapt to the Modern Methods
The building and construction is evolving, and fast. Thanks to new technologies, software systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated. As a construction manager, it’s better to keep on top the changes – otherwise you risk falling behind.
From workflow software, virtual reality and 3D printing, to sustainable technology and construction-site robots, the industry is constantly progressing and changing – discovering new and better ways to work. Being a construction manager often means keeping on top of these trends and changes, and making the most of them when you can.
Start your journey today.For those looking to make a real impact on this industry, becoming a construction manager is the ideal position. To learn more about our building and construction courses, how they’re structured, or what it takes to succeed in construction management – get in touch today and we’re more than happy to walk you through the details.
