The next time you step outside take a look around, everything you can see is the result of Civil Engineering. From the design of the buildings to the layout of the roads and street lighting, Civil Engineers have a key role in designing and implementing these decisions. But what is a Civil Engineer and how can you train to become one? These are questions we are going to answer below.
What is Civil Engineering?
Civil Engineering is a discipline of engineering which dictates how the world around us works. Think about the things that we take for granted; roads, hospitals, water and power supply, without Civil Engineering these things wouldn’t be accessible to us. Primarily Civil Engineering is the planning and implementation of large construction projects.
What do Civil Engineers do?
Civil Engineers are the brains behind how our towns and cities work. They are responsible for the design of buildings, transport infrastructure (roads, railway lines, cycle routes), power supply and so much more. Using their theoretical and practical knowledge, Civil Engineers are responsible for planning, budgeting, managing and analysing anything from small housing projects to large scale high-rise buildings.
How can I become a Civil Engineer?
Thanks to the diversity of Civil Engineering, there are a number of different ways that you can train to become a Civil Engineer. Firstly, you could choose to study a full-time vocational study programme at college. Vocational courses have been developed by industry bodies and employers to provide the skills most needed by the civil engineering industry.
At The Sheffield College, we offer the Civil Engineering T Level. This qualification is a fantastic starting point for anyone looking to develop a career in civil engineering and is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant university level courses.
We also offer a range of Higher Apprenticeships which are a perfect steppingstone from our technical qualificaions for anyone looking to gain some practical working experience before progressing onto University Level study.
How long will I need to study for?
This depends on how much experience you already have and any existing qualifications. If you are just leaving school and beginning your career journey then you will need to start with a level 3 qualification, followed by a Higher Apprenticeship or HNC/HND (level 4/5). As a large number of employers will be looking to recruit graduates for their entry point positions, you will then need to undertake further study at university level to achieve a bachelor’s degree.
Upon securing a position, you will then be responsible for any further learning you wish to undertake. As the knowledge required to be a successful Civil Engineer is constantly developing, you will be advised to continue your studies throughout your career, with many Civil Engineers continuing to achieve a master’s degree before then applying for chartered engineer status.
What skills will I need?
As the responsibilities of a civil engineer are quite varied, you will need to be knowledgeable in a selection of disciplines to ultimately have a successful career; don’t worry though, the knowledge you’ll need will be covered during your studies.
As a starting point, you will benefit from a strong understanding of mathematics, excellent communication skills and the ability to use a computer and standard computer programmes. Ultimately as long as you have a strong desire to learn and a passion for design and construction you will continuously develop the skills and knowledge you need throughout your studies and career.
Want to find out more?
Hopefully, we’ve managed to provide you with the answers to some of the most common civil engineering questions and also convince you that it could be the career path for you.
