Construction III

What did you do at work today? Ask that question of a building engineer, says Bob Jones, and you should be prepared for an answer that could extend across the whole spectrum of the construction industry

What's it about?

The work of a building engineer involves the technical and management processes by which buildings are designed, constructed, renewed, altered and maintained. This work could be in the public or private sector, with government, local authorities, health authorities, fire authorities, emergency services, a multinational firm of architects, engineers, project managers or quantity surveyors or in a small private practice. I should mention that building engineers may also work in publishing, the media, law, entertainment, research, teaching or even environmental protection.

In local government, for example, you could be checking a prestigious building for fire safety first thing in the morning, meeting prospective developers to encourage local investment next, having a working lunch with an editor about the preparation of a paper or article, then attending liaison meetings with other authorities and in the late afternoon giving a lecture at a professional forum.

If you don't fancy too much active travelling, the design office could be for you, with an emphasis on project design or the preparation of plans and specifications. Maybe you would prefer to work with contracts and legal work, even project accountancy and quantity surveying?

An outdoor life beckons if you see yourself working as an estates manager in a rural area or looking after our National Heritage buildings across the country. Then there are all those demands for qualified engineers to volunteer their services to help out charitable organisations both at home and overseas.

How would I qualify as a building engineer?

As with all professions, a degree is a good foundation. That does not, however, exclude candidates who have varying combinations of experience and valid subjects on which to continue along the career pathway.

The route to corporate membership of the Association of Building Engineers (ABE) is via examination and experience, with exemption from some parts of the examinations by other qualifications. The Association is always willing to consider the merits of applicants for admission to membership, including those with non-cognate degrees or awards. Further guidance can be obtained from the Association's membership secretary.

Student and graduate membership is available on preferential terms, so entrants can take advantage of facilities the Association offers. These include the journal Building Engineer and local branch and headquarters events offering the wide networking required to ensure that all members maintain a high level of professional development.

Training is available through recognised universities and further education establishments. Work experience and on-the-job training fulfil the remainder of the requirements, with most professional organisations having ABE members or similar qualified staff willing to help or mentor a prospective candidate. Local branches organise regular, well-attended technical events and there are always opportunities in these for young members.

Is the industry committed to equal opportunities?

Building engineering has much to offer students of both sexes. It is no longer the case that the construction industry is a male-only profession. There are opportunities for girls to enter the profession in all areas, especially in the large and prestigious organisations.

What type of person do I need to be?

This varies. I am currently working with a technical project officer who obtained a degree in media sciences and arrived from a travel agency. Her recent achievements include a register of "Green" Professionals (soon to become national), a Considerate Contractor scheme, a regulatory handbook, the launch of Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment and a Fire Safety initiative for the Borough. As a result of her work and qualifications, she is on the way to obtaining a professional qualification in an allied media institution.

There is a substantial role for many people in building engineering, whatever their qualifications, previous experiences and personality.

How can I get started?

Your first step should be to take the opportunity of a short period of work experience whilst still at school. Contact your Local Authority Building Regulations section and you should find that they regularly take students and international exchange groups on such schemes. During your placement, you could obtain further information on local training, work availability and details of local ABE branches.

Tell me more!

Readers with further questions about building engineering can email the author at: bob.jones@southwark.gov.uk

It is also possible to email the Association of Building Engineers at: building.engineers@abe.org.uk or visit their website at www.abe.org.uk