Qualifications Bachelor of Construction (construction management)

The course

As the cranes on Auckland's skyline indicate, construction projects abound and construction and site managers are in high demand. This is good news for Unitec's construction management graduates.

The Bachelor of Construction (construction management), which is approximately 70 per cent theory, includes study in planning, management and control of construction projects, critical analysis of work, sequencing of construction work, logic diagramming methods, integration and management of the design process and evaluation of strategic management models and business practice in construction.

Problem solving is based on real world projects and case studies.

The degree can be completed in three years. However, most students do the first two years full time, then go part time for two years while working and gaining relevant industry experience.

To encourage this, Unitec offers the 10 third year courses as short intensive block courses. Others do the whole degree part time over six or seven years.

School leavers need NCEA University Entrance (42 Level 3 NCEA credits over three subjects, including eight credits of Level 2 English). Applicants also need 12 credits of NCEA Level 2 Maths.

Relevant industry experience is looked at on an individual basis for adult applicants. A number of tradespeople study part time around self employment.

There is a February and July intake, with 30 applicants accepted each year.

Some first and second year papers are offered in Christchurch to students wanting to upgrade national diplomas in quantity surveying, construction management or architectural technology. These students fly to Auckland to attend third year block courses.

Construction management graduates are usually employed by medium size to major construction companies. They are also hired by property developers, construction consultancy firms and local authorities.

Fees for 2006 are not set, but 2005 fees are $4541.

What graduates think

Scott Thrupp, 22
Site manager for Aspec Construction at Sky City

As a site manager I have to be one or two weeks ahead of the job, sorting through problems, setting up projects with long lead times and making sure everything ticks over.

I work full time at Aspec Construction after completing my degree last year. I'm on the cadetship scheme, so I started part time at Aspec after my second year of study. They helped with my fees.

Working while studying meant I was earning and learning, and could relate my learning continually back to work. I found it a great way to learn. I quickly realised things won't always go according to the textbook.

Communicating with people is really important in this role. I learned about dealing with working conditions and communication and motivation styles at Unitec. I'm also learning through observing my manager's approaches and working out what fits best for me. On the degree we rubbed shoulders with architects and quantity surveyors which was beneficial.

When something isn't working with the design we have to find a way around it to send to the architect for approval, so knowing how each other works helps a lot.

What employers think

Christopher Leahy
Aspec construction project manager

Aspec understands the need to train people for the industry and currently has six cadets, of which Scott is one.

We monitor them and move them around to get other experiences as required. Scott went to another project to learn about the tools, which we don't do here.

We look for cadets that have the ability to learn, follow programmes with discipline and follow problems through.

All the cadets from Unitec have the ability to be disciplined, focused and deliver.

This has a lot to do with the curriculum and timelines. While cadets like Scott still need direction, what they do know, they do extremely well.

It is up to us to give direction, answer queries, and monitor them.

We find students from the Unitec course are well skilled in building related issues but have no experience. Putting them in our team environment means they start to understand our systems and culture.

Scott has excelled in every role so far and yes, he is very young to be doing what he's doing, but he has earned every role he has been given. The key ingredients are discipline and focus and Scott has both. 

Qualifications

Bachelor of Construction (construction management)

Unitec

Ph 09 815 4321, ext 7378 or 0800 10 95 10

Starting salary: $45,000 average (often higher currently)