JobsAndCareers_Winter2021/22 - 80

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISER
The environmental impact of any building venture has to be
assessed, and as an adviser you'll address issues including air
quality, water contamination and waste management. You'll
need to write reports, liaising with clients, stakeholders and
other relevant parties, and stay up to date with the latest
changes in environmental law and building regulations.
What qualifi cations do I need? Although you can land a job
with a level 6 NVQ, most employers require a degree, and
preferably one in a relevant discipline such as environmental
sciences or geography. You can also gain professional
qualifi cations from the Institute of Environmental
Management & Assessment (IEMA).
How much can I earn? Newly trained environmental
advisers will earn at least £20,000, rising to £38,000 with
seniority. If you progress to become an environmental
engineer, you can earn up to £90,000.
RISK MANAGER
There are a lot of things that can go wrong in construction,
and it's a risk manager's responsibility to identify these before
they do any damage, whether that's to an organisation or its
personnel. You'll need to fi gure out the costs and legal issues
involved, as well as providing plans and support to enable
companies to avoid problems in future.
What qualifi cations do I need? A degree in risk
management is sometimes required, although if you have
studied business, management, economics or engineering you
could still be a risk manager - perhaps topping up your degree
with a qualifi cation from the Institute of Risk Management.
How much can I earn? Newly trained risk managers
receive £20,000 to £30,000. Senior managers can earn
£45,000, rising as high as £75,000.
HERITAGE OFFICER
Improving
mental health
in construction
Overcoming the challenges of the building industry
One person in the construction industry takes their own life every
day. That's the shocking statistic from the Offi ce for National
Statistics that underlines the mental health crisis in the sector.
The nature of the industry is a breeding ground for problems: a
report from the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)
and Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) highlighted late
payments as a key factor, responsible for 90% of mental illness
suff ered by managers, with issues trickling down to employees
and their families.
" Disagreements over quality or diffi culties with resources can
mean construction workers are left without full pay after fi nishing
a job, " says Julie Lock of workforce management company
Mitrefi nch. " Since payment is often made on the completion of
a project, it's easy for clients to withhold or delay payment after
the job is completed to improve their own cashfl ow. "
Those who are suff ering do have access to resources, though.
The Health & Safety Executive - which recorded 400,000 working
days lost to mental health issues in 2017-18 - off ers employers
guidance for ensuring their staff are happy, healthy and
productive. If you'd like to see this for yourself, head to hse.gov.uk/
construction/healthrisks/managing-essentials/wellbeing.htm.
There is also Building Mental Health (buildingmentalhealth.net),
a collective of volunteers from the construction industry, which
has created a charter for employers to sign up to and encourages
companies to train mental health fi rst aiders within their
workforce. In conjunction with Lighthouse, the construction
industry charity, it also has a helpline - 0345 605 1956 - to
support those experiencing problems, which is also available
as an app at constructionindustryhelpline.com/app.html.
80 /// JOBS & CAREERS /// jobsandcareersmag.com
Find out more
* Construction Industry
Training Board citb.co.uk
* Go Construct goconstruct.org
* Royal Institution of Chartered
Surveyors rics.org/uk
Many construction projects will require the planners and
workers to take into account buildings of historical or
cultural importance. A heritage offi cer will inspect the plans
beforehand and the work during construction to ensure these
sites are being treated with appropriate sensitivity. You'll need
to research the sites, review the plans and ensure that
deadlines, budgets and conservation standards are met,
collaborating with private companies and local offi cials.
What qualifi cations do I need? A degree in a related
subject such as history, building conservation, architecture or
natural sciences would be helpful, as would a postgraduate
qualifi cation in historic management or conservation. English
Heritage, Historic England and the National Trust are
developing apprenticeships as an alternative to a degree,
entry to which would also require A-levels.
How much can I earn? You will probably start on around
£18,500 or so but can earn up to £50,000 as a senior inspector
or manager on larger and more prominent projects.
http://hse.gov.uk/ construction/healthrisks/managing-essentials/wellbeing.htm http://hse.gov.uk/ construction/healthrisks/managing-essentials/wellbeing.htm http://www.buildingmentalhealth.net http://citb.co.uk http://www.goconstruct.org http://www.constructionindustryhelpline.com/app.html http://www.rics.org/uk http://www.jobsandcareersmag.com
JobsAndCareers_Winter2021/22

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JobsAndCareers_Winter2021/22
