OFO No: 214201

Other names for Civil Engineer:

• Biosystems Engineer
• Construction Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer
• GIS and Landuse Management Engineer
• Hydraulics Engineer
• Site Design Engineer
• Structural Engineer
• Transport Engineer
• Transportation and Urban Planning Engineer
• Water and Wastewater Engineer

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – Meet 3 American Civil Engineers and see some of their amazing projects

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Civil Engineer?

Civil Engineering is a term used to describe a large variety of activities which encompass the manufacturing and construction of things which include: the designing, planning, maintenance/servicing and management of usually very large projects/developments etc.

Civil Engineers are extremely skilled and can be found working on buildings, harbours, bridges, water supplies, roads, airports,  sewerage systems, tunnels, dams, large scale housing developments, land reclamation etc etc.

Depending on the type of work, Civil Engineers may work from quiet modern offices to remote areas in rugged terrain. The latter option may require lots of traveling from one site to another.

Here is a list of different areas Civil Engineers can work or specialise in:

• Structural: bridges, roads, towers, tunnels
• Transportation: roads, traffic control, airports
• Water: dams, pipelines, purification, sewerage systems
• Geotechnical: foundations, excavations, fills, mining and land reclamation
• Construction: large scale construction
• Urban: municipal services, housing & town development, maintenance
• Railway and Harbour: railway networks, harbour facilities
• Environmental: impact studies, social and natural environments
• Informatics: data capturing, computers for enhancing civil engineering activities

Young Civil Engineers usually work under the supervision of an experienced engineer and will be gradually given more responsibilities as they gain experience.

What does a Civil Engineer do?

• meets with clients, government officials, architects, urban planners, environmentalists etc
• works with a team – planning and designing the project
• manages the project and the workforce
• travels between sites
• makes sure everything is going according to plan
• handles unforeseen problems and making quick decisions
• services, manages and repairs sites/roads/dams etc
• captures data on the computer
• keeps officials up to date with progress
• reads impact studies, plans, and other documentation
• keeps up to date of local and national building regulations
• is constantly aware of safety issues

Are you . . . ?

• interested in large-scale construction?
• interested in engineering?
• able to see and imagine things in 3d?
• good at mathematics and science?
• accurate?
• able to deal with stress?
• methodical and organised?
• able to make good decisions?
• creative and determined?
• able to work well with others?
• able to communicate clearly?
• healthy?
• a bit thinker?
• able to manage staff?
• prepared to work strange and long hours sometimes?

How do I become an Civil Engineer?

PATH 1:

• Complete a National Diploma or BTech in Civil Engineering at a University of Technology and then enter the job market.
  

PATH 2:

• Complete a minimum 4 year Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at a recognised SA university. Depending on the university, you can either do a Bachelor of Engineering BEng (Civ) or (BIng Civ) or Bachelor of Science (BSc Eng).

• University of Cape Town
• University of Johannesburg
• University of KZN
• Universit of Pretoria
• University of Stellenbosch
• University of Witwatersrand
  

PATH 3:

• After completing your Civil Engineering DEGREE and 3 years work experience, register with the ECSA to become a Professional Engineer. This registration is extremely important if you want to perform critically important civil engineering work that has direct impact on public safety etc.

Compulsory Subjects: 

• Mathematics, Physical Science

Recommended Subjects: 

• Information Technology, Geography, Engineering and Technology

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions.
  

• THE ENGINEERING COUNCIL of SOUTH AFRICA (ECSA)

https://www.ecsa.co.za/default.aspx

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Land Surveyor or Agricultural Engineer

Is becoming a Civil Engineer the right choice for me?

OFO No: 311201

Other names for Civil Engineering Technician:

• Building Engineering Technician 
• Civil Engineering Assistant 
• Civil Engineering Laboratory Technician 
• Construction Design Technician 
• Geotechnical Laboratory Technician 
• Work Site Engineering Technician

What is a Civil Engineering Technician?

A Civil Engineering Technician works as an assistant to a Civil Engineer.

They help the Civil Engineer to design and plan large structures like:

• Skyscrapers
• Bridges
• Dams
• Roads & Tunnels
• Harbours
• Sewerage Systems etc

A Civil Engineering Technician may help the Civil Engineer to set up equipment, trake measurements, assist with calculations, capture data, help with drawings etc.

What does a Civil Engineering Technician do?

• helps with site surveys
• sets up measuring equipment
• takes samples and arranges for lab analysis of rock and soil, etc
• helps prepare survey reports
• helps prepare and plan drawings etc
• captures data
• helps with preparation of estimates, quantities and cost of materials
• regularly inspects buildings/structures to make sure they comply with building regulations etc
• advises on where fire detectors/sprinkler systems should be placed

Are you . . . ?

• interested in large scale construction?
• detail orientated?
• responsible and reliable?
• good at maths and physical science?
• an accurate worker?
• a person with sober habits?

How do I become a Civil Engineering Technician?

You will need a qualification.

PATH 1

National Diploma in Civil Engineering – NQF Level 6

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Central University of Technology
• Durban University of Technology
• Mangosutho University of Technology
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
• Tshwane University of Technology
• University of Johannesburg
• University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Vaal University
• Walter Sisulu University

PATH 2

National Diploma in Civil Engineering

• 2 years of related workplace experience
• Register as a Professional Engineering Technician at the ECSA
• Review of candidate’s professional work

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions.
  

• ENGINEERING COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA (ECSA)

ECSA is the national body that regulates professional engineers.

You may only call yourself a Professional Engineering Technician if you are registered with ECSA.

https://www.ecsa.co.za/default.aspx

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Civil Engineer or Land Surveyor

Is becoming a Civil Engineering Technician the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 214202

Other names for Civil Engineering Technologist:

• Biosystems Technologist
• Concrete Technologist
• Construction Technologist
• Environmental Technologist
• Geotechnics Technologist
• GIS and Landuse Technologist
• Hydraulics Technologist
• Structural Technologist
• Transportation and Urban Planner Technologist
• Water and Wastewater Technologist

What is a Civil Engineering Technologist?

A Civil Engineering Technologist is like a civil’s researcher. They take their research, analyse all the data and then modify new, existing or old engineering technologies.

They help to improve civil engineering technologies and techniques with regard to:

• Skyscrapers
• Bridges
• Dams
• Roads & Tunnels
• Harbours
• Sewerage Systems etc

What does a Civil Engineering Technologist do?

• conducts research
• analyses data
• develops new or improved methods to civil engineering
• advises civil engineers
• establishes control systems
• ensures safety and environmental protection
• organises and directs maintenance and repair of large civil engineered projects
• analyses soil behaviour of old and new structures
• tests behaviour of building materials

Are you . . . ?

• interested in research?
• interested in large scale construction?
• detail orientated?
• responsible and reliable?
• good at maths and physical science?
• an accurate worker?
• a problem solver?

How do I become a Civil Engineering Technologist?

You will need a qualification.

PATH 1

National Diploma in Civil Engineering – NQF Level 6
Followed by a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Civil Engineering

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Central University of Technology
• Durban University of Technology
• Mangosutho University of Technology
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
• Tshwane University of Technology
• University of Johannesburg
• University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Vaal University
• Walter Sisulu University

PATH 2

National Diploma in Civil Engineering
Followed by a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Civil Engineering

• 3 years of related workplace experience
• Register as a Professional Engineering Technologist at the ECSA
• Review of candidate’s professional work

• ENGINEERING COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA (ECSA)

ECSA is the national body that regulates professional engineers.

You may only call yourself a Professional Engineering Technologist if you are registered with ECSA.

https://www.ecsa.co.za/default.aspx

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Civil Engineer or Civil Engineering Technician

Is becoming a Civil Engineering Technologist the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – A day in the life of a Structural Engineer

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Structural Engineer?

A Structural Engineer is a kind of Civil Engineer and has a very responsible job. They are the experts on the design and monitoring of anything that supports or carries a load. They are the person who makes sure a building / structure is completely safe and does not fall down!

A Structural Engineer also makes sure that the structure / building meets all the necessary building codes.

What does a Structural Engineer do?

• works closely with architects, construction managers, etc
• works on CAD computer packages
• investigates properties of building materials: glass, bricks, concrete etc
• visits building / construction sites
• carries out very careful inspections
• inspects the foundations
• checks all the infrastructure
• makes sure structures are being built in accordance to the plans and building regulations
• signs off each stage of construction before the next stage can begin

Are you . . . ?

• very responsible?
• intelligent
• interested in large-scale construction?
• detail orientated?
• deadline driven?
• careful?
• safety conscious?
• good at mathematics?
• observant?
• reliable?

How do I become a Structural Engineer?

You will have to qualify as a Civil Engineer.

CLICK HERE for more info on Civil Engineering training.

• INSTITUTION of STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

http://www.istructe.org/near-you/africa/south-africa

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Civil Engineering Technician or Civil Engineering Technologist

Is becoming a Structural Engineer the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

What is a Road Construction Worker?

A Road Construction Worker is a labourer who gets to work on large-scale road works. Some work is extremely easy and sometimes boring, while other times it can be extremely difficult, exciting and at times, dangerous, especially when explosives are used.

Some Road Construction Workers may help artisans like plumbers, electricians, etc to carry out their work on the road construction site.

What does a Road Construction Worker do?

• works well in a team
• prepares the road construction site by removing obstacles and rubble
• loads and unloads building materials
• digs holes
• compacts tar
• operates heavy machinery like jackhammers, etc
• operates hand tools like brooms, shovels, picks etc
• follows instructions
• repairs and maintains exisiting roads
  

Are you . . . ?

• physically fit and healthy?
• strong?
• able to follow instructions?
• reliable?
• a hard worker?
• interested in working on large-scale road works?
• a team player?

How do I become a Road Construction Worker?

You will need to find work with a large construction company. Some municipalities which are building roads may advertise for Road Construction Workers.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Plumber or Rigger

Is becoming a Road Construction Worker the right career choice for me?