Site managers play a critical role in construction businesses and organisations. This can be overseeing technical projects, all the way to managing teams within a building and construction site. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to transition into the role, or an aspiring first-time manager, becoming a site manager could be the right choice for you.
Pursuing a career as a site manager requires a combination of knowledge, skills, and expertise that can be acquired through both qualifications and relevant experience. Here, we’ll break down how to become a successful site manager and all the steps needed to start.
Site managers must be able to manage multiple aspects of running a construction site, such as:
A successful site manager will be expected to understand the fundamentals of each project they work on – such as its scope, specifications, best practices, and safety regulations. While the exact skills you’ll need may differ depending on your industry, the basics remain the same. Mastering the following topics will serve as a good training ground:
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A site manager position is a rewarding choice for those ready to get off the tools and remain on work sites. It also comes with a generous salary. In Australia, the annual salary for a site manager is typically between $130,000 and $205,000 depending on the industry and level of experience.
In addition, the expected job growth for this role over the next five years is 10.2%, making it an attractive long-term choice for those looking for a steady career. With the Australian Government committing $225 billion to construction, building, and infrastructure in the 2022/23 financial year, the need for skilled professionals in this industry will only continue to grow.
Whether you’re just starting or transitioning from another career, it’s important to get a qualification in site management. Higher education and professional certifications will give you the skills you need to understand the fundamentals of site management. You’ll learn how to deliver projects on time and budget and work effectively with clients and stakeholders.
For an entry-level site supervisor role, a Certificate IV in Building & Construction (Site Management) (CPC40120) will see you gain the necessary skills and expertise to move into your first building and construction managerial role. For those with existing extensive experience in building and construction management, a Diploma of Building & Construction (Management) (CPC50320) is the perfect choice to grow your career and go into a senior position, such as a site manager.
The benefit of studying a site management qualification at the College for Adult Learning is the ability to enjoy self-paced, flexible study. You can maintain your career and continue to build your construction experience while also gaining a nationally recognised qualification. Once qualified, you’ll have both the knowledge and hands-on experience to go straight into a site management role.
While both roles are similar, a site manager is responsible for overseeing and directing a variety of projects from beginning to end. Site supervisors are usually only responsible for their set site or area, ensuring the daily operations of their worksites run smoothly.
A site supervisor is an entry-level construction management role, whereas a site manager may have more experience or a higher qualification behind them to handle the broader responsibilities of their role. A site manager may also handle multiple sites at once, while site supervisors generally are focused on one site. On large-scale projects, a site supervisor can often report directly to a site manager.
To be an effective site manager, you’ll need to master a variety of skills, tools, and techniques. These include understanding the basics of project management, such as:
To be capable of utilising project management software and programs, it’s important to become comfortable with them. Knowing how to use the programs can go a long way in making sure your projects run on time and within budget. Furthermore, having a complete understanding of the practical applications of tools such as Gantt charts will give you an edge when managing large-scale projects.
To work as a successful site manager, it’s important to develop and hone your interpersonal skills. As management is an essential part of any project, you should strive to be comfortable in both one-on-one and team settings. Good communication, problem-solving capabilities, empathy, delegation, leadership, and an efficient way of working are all desirable traits for a great manager.
Whether you’re ready to get your foot in the door in a building and construction management role, or you’re prepared to utilise your skills and experience in a higher-level role, upskilling with CAL can assist you in finding your new career path. Remain close to the action while enjoying a higher salary with a site management or site supervisor position.
Take the next step in your building and construction career with a qualification at the College for Adult Learning. Studying the Diploma of Building & Construction (Management) (CPC50320) can prepare you for a construction management role with the skills and expertise needed to be a successful site manager.
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