Requirements

Construction and building trades supervisor - requirements

Construction and building trades supervisors, sometimes called site managers, manage staff and oversee construction or maintenance activity on a building site. Read on to find out what working in this role is like, how your career might develop and what you’ll need to do to get a job.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a construction or building trades supervisor?

There are different ways to get into this job, including through a university course. Subjects to consider include:

You might also enter this field through an apprenticeship, HND or foundation degree. It’s possible to move up into this role from non-supervisory roles, such as a tradesperson or engineer.

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Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a construction or building trades supervisor?

You don’t need a postgraduate qualification for this role, but it could help you progress further in your career or specialise. Some employers might support your studies while you work.

Examples of taught postgraduate degrees include:

Asset management and development
Concrete studies
Construction project management
Construction law
Digital design and construction
Structural design
Sustainable construction

What skills do you need to be a construction or building trades supervisor?

As well as a good knowledge of engineering and building processes, you’ll need management and organisational skills to see projects to completion.

Hard skills usually include:

Auditing
Civil engineering
Construction
Risk analysis
Subcontracting

Soft skills include:

Communication
Infrastructure
Operations
Project management
Staff management
Health and safety

Do you need work experience to be a construction or building trades supervisor?

Many employers will expect a minimum level of work experience when considering you for supervisor-level roles. Larger construction companies and other employers may offer work experience or graduate training schemes to students. Your university course might include a year in industry as part of your degree. You could also contact employers directly to get experience or casual work during the summer holidays.