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I’m a stonemason and am wondering as I’m on the crest of 40 about possibilities for the future. Site management of some kind is an obvious route but the way into it is seemingly less obvious from what I can see. I thought university degree was the current minimum but is that the case?
So anyone got any clue of the various routes into those kind of roles?
I think that the best way for a tradesman to move away from the frontline is to stick to the trade they know best. Can you start your own business and start taking on projects yourself? Obviously your financial situation might rule this out or make things difficult.
Site management seems a thankless task to me and most site managers appear rather stressed and allegedly underpaid. Long hours, potentially a lot of travel, trying to placate customers, local residents, architects, sub contractors and your own bosses doesn't really seem a step up to me!
it very much depends on the type of site. I know several (mass) housing site managers and none have a degree. Some may have something like a HND/C. One started as the fork lift driver.
Something like;
https://www.bathcollege.ac.uk/product/construction-and-the-built-environment-hnc
I've worked with hundred of site managers and maybe 5% were university educated.
The other 95% were tradesmen who became foreman / supervisors and then moved into site management.
I'm looking across the desks at 3 of them now who were all painters.
SMSTS would be a good start
I’m self employed at present as a sub contractor mainly and starting my own jobs doesn’t appeal so much as a bunch of people I know in this situation regularly don’t get paid for months as jobs drag on.
I have sssts and seem to be doing more supervisor stuff at the minute.
Yeah smsts would seem the logical next step to be fair. Should have been my first thought! Will look into that hnc as well.
I know site management can be a thankless task but a lot of the people I deal with at the minute are great with a computer and arranging meetings but literally clueless on site. Feel I could bring a more practically skilled element. Just thinking out loud after a couple rubbish days at work!
Thanks all
Yes, as above, a site Manager course, SMSTS is the most widespread. I thinks it's 5 day, but anyone with a slight clue should pass it.
A First Aid qualification would be good, if not mandatory. I've just done a 3 day First Aid at Work course. It was the best course I have ever done for work purposes.
Also being clued up with the typical office computer programs would be pretty beneficial.
Wages in the Midlands are reasonable £35-40k on a medium sized site.
I've found most Site Managers only really know one trade, but they have an idea how the other trades should work and how one trade should interact with the other trades.
So be good at one thing, but know when/how the cables and pipes should be put in, and when the plasterers have to be told to stop work as they are too far on front of the other trades etc.
I’m looking across the desks at 3 of them now who were all painters.
🙂
My 3 aren't as mature as that.
One of them is currently eating his plasticine