Civil Engineer

Civil engineers are involved in seeing an engineering project from conception, design stage, construction, through to completion and its ongoing maintenance.

They work on all sorts of engineering projects. These include structural projects like major building programmes, dams, bridges; transportation projects, like tunnels, roads, railways and airports; and environmental, maritime and geotechnical projects.

They work closely with construction project managers and contractors, architects and surveyors and engineers from different disciplines. Duties can include:

• undertaking technical, feasibility and environmental studies
• developing detailed designs
• assessing all associated materials and labour costings
• analysing risks
• preparing tender bids
• overseeing the progress and workmanship of projects
• checking projects are meeting all statutory and building requirements.

Civil engineers usually work standard office hours from Monday to Friday. On site they may work overtime or shifts or provide on-call emergency cover. The work may be office based, or may involve being on site in all weathers.

Salaries may range from around £24,000 to £70,000 or more a year.

A civil engineer should be:

• good at maths, science and IT
• a creative thinker
• able to communicate ideas and plans clearly
• able to work well with a variety of people
• confident making accurate and independent judgements
• interested in solving problems.

Approximately 48,000 people work as civil engineers in the UK. Jobs exist with local authorities, building contractors, power companies, environmental agencies and specialist engineering and civil engineering consulting firms. There are good opportunities for experienced engineers to work abroad with consulting firms, foreign governments or international oil and mining companies.

Accredited degree programmes form the required educational base for becoming a professionally qualified civil engineer. For direct entry to a degree, minimum qualifications are generally two or three A levels including maths and physics, or equivalent. There are alternative routes in, including starting as a trainee technician with four GCSE's (A*-C) via an Apprenticeship scheme. Engineering qualifications not accredited with the ICE can be 'topped up' with further learning.

Civil engineers need both the educational base and to undertake initial professional development by following a structured training programme whilst in employment. They can then apply to become professionally recognised as either an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).

With Incorporated or Chartered status, moving into specialist senior roles, or becoming a self-employed consultant, is feasible. There are many opportunities to work abroad in the developing world.

Further details