Completing qualifications while your career is already established can open new opportunities, broaden your professional perspective and provide the confidence to pursue specialist roles. Peter Attwood MCIOB explains how a commitment to lifelong learning shaped his own career.

Working as a Contracts Manager in a firm which undertook thermal insulation and asbestos removal work. Having previously done only Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Engineering, I realised that in order to progress, I would need to obtain better qualifications related to construction. 

This started my quest and eight years of study. Starting as a 40-year-old, I completed a HNC Building Studies (part-time, 3 years), BSc (Hons) Building Engineering and Management (full time), and MSc Acoustics and Noise Control (part-time, 2 years).

Initially, I was disadvantaged by a lack of practical experience in the actual construction process. Having come from a background which was allied to the construction industry – thermal insulation and asbestos removal – but not involving the construction process itself, I needed to gain practical experience in this area. My academic studies had involved some contact with actual building work, but this needed to be supplemented by further experience.

Much of my work since, though not all, has been with residential developments, both new-build and refurbishments and including repurposing of industrial and commercial buildings for residential use. Such work has significantly contributed to my ability to fulfil my present role as an Acoustician. 

In this, I am largely working with sound: sound within spaces such as auditoria, school halls or classrooms; sound between spaces – sound insulation between residences or sound intrusion from environmental noise: industrial noise, road traffic noise etc.

Combing knowledge and experience 

A knowledge of how buildings are put together and, in particular, their possible failings and weaknesses, together with an appreciation of the structural performance of materials, has been invaluable. It enables me to speak the same language as other construction professionals: architects, surveyors, engineers, developers and site teams. Having MCIOB after your name has a bearing on the degree to which your contributions are received and respected.

In design team meetings, my specialism is acoustics, particularly sound and vibration transmission. However, my background in both general construction plus acoustics courses, although highly focussed on acoustics, also incorporates a wider perspective which allows me to identify and comment upon other aspects important to building performance. 

I have frequently been able to highlight, for example, issues to do with weaknesses in fire transmission or structural connectivity or stability. Often, these potential problems have arisen as unintended consequences of the effort to achieve resolution of single issues. Clearly, it is then for other specialists to bring their expertise to bear in seeking more-appropriate resolutions.

This is what teams are about: while there is great value in having individuals who are expert in their own professional fields, I believe it is equally valuable that those same people are capable of a wider vision. This enables them, in bringing their own contributions to the table, to major on their own work but without introducing the unintended consequences that can arise in the design process. 

This is also what makes this work so interesting and fulfilling. 

In addition to having built and run my acoustic consultancy practice Acoustic South East over 30 years, I have also served during the last 20 or so of those years as a Robust Details Inspector. The latter is a role from which I have only recently retired, now being 75 years of age. This involved visiting residential construction sites at various stages in the build process and inspecting and/or testing party constructions, walls and floors, for compliance with the Robust Details methods and specifications for construction. While the focus of the work was on the sound insulation achieved between residential properties, it was necessary to have an appreciation of the elements of construction which contributed to, or detracted from, that performance achievement.

Advice for the next generation of construction professionals 

People will always need buildings. While the methods of delivery of those buildings and the technologies involved have changed over the years, the need for construction professionals has been constant and will continue to be so.

For any aspiring entrant into the industry, it is wise to spend time investigating all of the varied roles that are possible, and there are many. Have a look at the goconstruct website for information on 180 different construction roles.

Then it is advised to gain as much insight into the ones that interest you as you can. Initially, of course, that internet search will throw up a number of possibilities. However, don’t rely on staring at a computer screen for all of the answers. Try to talk to people who you know who are in the industry. Consider approaching two or three of the larger construction companies and speaking to them about what you, with your background, might fit into. Don’t be shy! Approaching a busy Site Manager while on site is probably not the best idea but instead speak to someone at head office in the HR Department. To make that meaningful, however, prepare yourself with as much knowledge as you can about what sort of roles interest you and what they are likely to involve.

Look at the degree path you have followed to date and ask yourself what elements of that academic pathway support the type of construction work you are considering. Is there a need to take supplementary courses – perhaps short courses – to strengthen your offering? This conveys to a prospective employer your willingness to engage with and put energy into your search. This, in turn, tells that prospective employer something about you personally, your level of commitment, and gains their interest in you as a candidate.

Don’t be put off by any early rejections. Persevere and you will get to meet and talk to the right individuals. That very perseverance is actually one of the qualities that will impress them. Good Luck with your search.