Just some of your
CAREER choices
Discover a career in
the civil industry as a…
PROJECT
MANAGER
A project manager is the person who manages a job, or part of it, from start to finish. They are in charge of everyone and everything related to completing a package of work.
THE ROLE
A Project Manager is responsible for the quality of work, the safety and environmental controls, the time it’s taking to do the work, and the costs of the job. This means managing all the people, plant and equipment.
THE CAREER
WHERE WILL YOU WORK?
Everywhere! You could be working on roads, bridges, dams, pipelines, railway lines, tunnels, farms (including wind and solar), golf courses, houses and building sites… the options in civil go on!
WHO WILL EMPLOY YOU?
You will have a lot of options. Small, medium and large businesses, local councils, and government agencies all use Project Managers.
HOW SAFE IS IT?
In this senior role likely won’t be doing any hands-on work yourself.
IS THE WORK TECHNICALLY HARD?
Yes, it’s a complex role, but Project Managers learn in stages and with practice. Your employer will train you on the job in each task, and extra courses will need to be undertaken to build your skills.
IS THE WORK PHYSICALLY HARD?
There is normally no ‘on-the tools’ work for a Project Manager, but you will be out and about looking at the project.
Just some of your
CAREER choices
THE TRAINING
IS THERE TRAINING PROVIDED AND WILL IT COST YOU?
There is training going to be needed and your employer will train you and pay
for it. You can do civil-specific management qualification and also do special courses in Project management. Some short courses can be done through the Institute of Civil Infrastructure.
IS THERE A QUALIFICATION?
Yes, if you want. It’s not essential, but you can receive a Nationally recognised qualification such as a Certificate IV, right through to Degree in Project Management.
REQUIREMENTS
WHO IS SUITED TO THE JOB?
People who like working outdoors and who enjoy practical tasks, but who also enjoy solving problems.
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO START?
You can start in the industry from the earliest legal minimum working age but will need 5 to 15 years of experience to get to be Project Manager, or you can do an engineering degree and move into project management.
WHAT SUBJECTS AND GRADES FROM SCHOOL DO YOU NEED?
There are NO minimum score results, or subjects, required, but maths, reading, writing and technical drawing skills are important to success.
ARE THERE ANY PREREQUISITES TO STARTING?
You will need 5 to 15 years of experience in the civil industry working on civil projects. To keep others and the environment safe, you must first know the work yourself!
THE FUTURE
IS THERE A FUTURE CAREER?
Yes! Project management skills are highly sought after, and a great career pathway. Most senior people and business owners in the industry have been project managers at some point.
WILL YOU HAVE TO MOVE AROUND?
It’s your call when you choose between jobs as some employers have projects
in different locations. If you do move, your expenses are often covered by the employer.
CAN YOU GET MORE SKILLS LATER?
Yes, if you want to. There are Certificate IV’s, Diplomas, degrees and specialist management courses you can do. It’s your call what you do and how far you go!
CAN YOU GO TO UNI ONE DAY?
Yes. The practical skills you learn will be very useful for engineering related courses.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
You will need to get experience learning how a site works safely before stepping up to a Project Manager. To do this many work for a bit as a Site Hand to learn the ropes. However, it’s also possible to start in the industry as an Apprentice plant operator, surveyor, or with engineering degree.