If you are considering a return to study, it is important to know how and why you will stand out as a qualified construction project manager.
Financial gain
Dozens of trades and professions make up the construction industry and project managers are among the most sought after for leadership positions. Competent and experienced professionals are financially rewarded for pursuing exciting career opportunities. The average Australian Project Manager wage is upwards of $85,000, but the best and brightest construction project managers with up-to-date knowledge can easily earn more than $140,000.
There are few careers where you can prepare the groundwork for a project and oversee every stage of the process right through to completion. Many project managers describe the completion of a job as the most satisfying part of their work. A post-tertiary qualification such as a Diploma of Project Management (BSB51415)and Diploma of Building & Construction (Management) (CPC50308) can be the best choice to set you on the path to the most rewarding of careers.
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Knowledge
Construction project managers are ultimately responsible for the completion of expensive projects. The oversight and decisions of construction managers are crucial to success. The best in the field use every tool at their disposal to coordinate dozens of tasks that all need completing to strict deadlines. Every day they turn to the latest technology to help them. Their vision is shared with dozens of people to reach milestones and see progress. The right educational qualification can give leaders the confidence to know they’ve got the skills to help them to succeed, and allow the team to trust the leaders.
No two days are the same, and you’ll be dealing with a variety of people and challenges. There are costs to plan, budgets to manage, subcontractors to hire, frequent briefings with stakeholders, and a multitude of other tasks. Competent people management skills and patience are required in equal measure, as every decision is ultimately geared to delivering projects on time and budget.
Gone are the days when a construction manager might leave school at age fifteen for a building apprenticeship, and spend 25-30 years climbing the career ladder towards their first project management role. Now, a double diploma can quickly set you apart from the crowd, giving you a foot in the door that might otherwise take years or even decades.
One of the advantages of a qualification like a Diploma is that it opens up a world of opportunities. Virtually all construction project management skills translate to any worksite in almost any country, and education is highly valued all over the world. Employers understand the value of engaging qualified individuals in their field from overseas. Educational performance and results count, however so does a potential employees’ willingness to commit to an employer in a foreign country. It proves ambition, endeavour, adaptability, and flexibility. When it comes to standing out in a field with equally qualified candidates, those are great assets for any construction project manager. In the USA alone, construction manager jobs are projected to grow 11% between 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for any other occupation.
Take the first step
Project management skills in any industry can be similar in many respects. While experience counts, good communication and planning skills are critical, as is a good work ethic. Flexibility is also critical. For example, a busy construction industry means it’s harder to source labour, like tradespeople. Conversely, a quieter period means a manager’s focus will shift to sourcing projects rather than subcontractors.
Leadership is critical since a project managers’ job description is to oversee many diverse professionals and personalities. A Diploma of Project Management (BSB51415) and Diploma of Building & Construction (Management) (CPC50308) gives candidates that vital ‘leg up’ on the ladder to stand out as a qualified Construction Project Manager. Begin your study today and be on the path to securing one of the most rewarding and respected careers in the construction industry.