Construction supervisors need 3-5 years of industry experience and must manage staff, communicate effectively, and have conflict management skills. Formal training is not required, but some companies offer in-house training. Related work experience in project management is helpful. Companies prefer to promote from within, and career options vary by company.
Most people who want to become a construction supervisor have worked in the construction or renovation industry for three to five years. A site supervisor is responsible for providing instructions and tasks to all the different trades and employees working on the construction site. All staff are required to report to the site supervisor upon arrival at the job site for instructions for the day.
There is no formal post-secondary training program to become a site supervisor. Instead, candidates often receive training in a specific industry or have many years of experience working in a variety of workplaces. Some companies require all site supervisors to complete an in-house training program. This ensures that everyone has received the same information about the company’s security policy, procedures and guidelines. This is especially important on big jobs or government work. Security and compliance assurances are especially important in this industry.
The people who are most successful as site supervisors have mechanical aptitude, enjoy working with others, and have excellent conflict management skills. The actual work required is well known, and most employees are already trained and qualified in their specific trade. Managing time, relationships, and priorities is the hardest part of this job. Excellent communication and negotiation skills are needed to ensure the project goes smoothly.
Related work experience that can be very helpful if you want to become a site supervisor includes project management. Any position that allows the candidate to acquire leadership skills, long-term planning and resource allocation is excellent. Many people start their careers as factory workers or trade on a construction site. The ability to work in a complex environment and deliver a high quality product is very important and an excellent experience to become a site supervisor.
The vast majority of construction and renovation companies prefer to promote employees from within. This policy motivates staff at all levels to put in the best effort, encourages accountability and ensures continuity within the company. All site supervisors are familiar with standard business practices, have the necessary skills to work together, and understand their role in the organization.
Career options above site supervisor are quite broad but vary by company. Some companies have project managers in place who are responsible for the entire project. This type of position usually requires formal training in engineering, architecture or business management. In other companies, the site supervisor is the most senior member of the site team and reports directly to the general manager.
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