What is Project Services?
Project Services professionals essentially facilitate, monitor and guide project development. They are required where a project needs leadership and focus, for example, in relation to the cost or timeframe for a scope of work, to ensure delivery of specific project objectives to time and budget and management of risk. Within large scale construction or engineering projects, Project Services professionals are therefore essential and would also be responsible for ensuring integration between all stages and teams across the construction process.
Typical Roles
Scantec’s Project Services team recruit for professionals who oversee and implement the planning, costing and commercial elements of large scale engineering and infrastructure projects. This includes high profile projects such as HS2, Nuclear New Build and Transport for North. We are also involved in a number of highly confidential projects within defence, nuclear and naval infrastructure/construction. Other more specialist projects include Data centre development, Pharmaceutical investments and renewable energy. Jobs in this sector can include:
- Project Planning
- Cost Engineering
- Risk Management
- Quantity Surveying
- Commercial Management
- Project Management
- Program Management
Pathways into the Profession & Qualifications Required
Apprenticeships are a real hot topic in the industry at the moment and companies are keen to invest here so can be a great pathway into the industry.
There are also industry related degrees such as a quantity surveying degree, building engineering, civil engineering, construction management or construction engineering. It’s also recommended to have work experience in the industry.
Once you have secured a role, you can then work towards charterships and certifications with organisations such as ACostE, RICS and APM as part of your professional development and in order to progress to more senior level.
Additional Skills Required
To be successful in a Project Services career, you will need excellent communication and leadership skills, as you’ll be interacting with a range of different people. Planning, decision-making and problem-solving skills are also essential in order to handle the day-to-day running of construction or engineering projects and to overcome any potential obstacles you may face throughout a project.
Maths and IT skills are also important.
Skills in Demand
This is a growing market with a skill shortage already in place but that does mean that there are great opportunities available within the sector.
The need for project controls expertise is increasing exponentially with significant investment in large scale construction and engineering projects across the UK.
This, coupled with more organisations than ever looking to develop and implement project controls teams has lead to an unprecedented demand for Planning, Costing, Estimating and Risk professionals.
Typical Starting Salaries & Earning Potential
Starting salaries can vary depending on the level you enter the sector at, but with 3-5 years’ experience, you could be earning circa £40,000 a year with this increasing as you gain more experience.
Progression Opportunities
Given that roles are easily transferable across the industry, individuals can gain a wide range of experience without compromising development.
Why Work within Project Services
Working on large scale projects such as HS2, defence, nuclear and the growing renewable energy sector, project services professionals have the opportunity to make an impact in facilitating some really high profile and exciting schemes and development. No two days are ever the same.
For more information on the Project Services roles our team at Scantec recruit, or if you have prior professional experience in the industry and are considering your next career move, then click here to learn more or contact one of our team.
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