Career Opportunities In Built Environment Sector Following COVID-19 Situation

The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted many job roles into the virtual world. Technology is playing a crucial role in these times and the changes will likely have a long-term impact on how work is done. It is important to accept, adopt and implement these changes and realign ourselves with the new requirements of normal and at the same time try to proactively visualise what the new emerging world would be like.

Job roles in the built environment in a post-Covid environment

Built environment (BE) sector is a physical hands-on industry and has witnessed its share of grave disruptions and challenges due to the pandemic. Even as the sector is rebuilding itself everyday post the lockdown, Built Environment will also see increased usage of technology to minimise the effects of disruptive forces and also to leverage new technologies to increase profitability. The sector will take a few more months to come at par with pre-pandemic scenario but the fact is that Built Environment has always been short of skilled and qualified professionals and the demand will only increase in the future.

Employability in the post-COVID-19 world

The real estate and infrastructure industry will see high-rated development, and technology will play a huge role in its recovery plan. Qualified professionals in the industry are already in demand but now specialisation will be the key to employability. Young professionals who have a domain-specific management degree which prepares them for the specialised job with role-specific expertise will be more in demand. Going by the current situation, some of the key job roles in Built Environment like Urban Planning, Project Management, Quantity Surveying and Facility and investment Management will see an increased demand of qualified professionals.

Career in Built Environment

Let us look at the areas in the sector which young professionals can select for speedy career growth.

Urban Planning

It is estimated that by 2050, nearly half of the Indian population will be living in urban areas. Urban planning, which ensures optimal use of land and resources and land development, is therefore, an essential need for the future. Urban planning also involves designing civic infrastructure and utilising it in the best possible way to make sure the needs of the community are met.

Project Management

Project management has gained recognition as a rewarding career path in recent times and efficient Project Managers are always in high demand in the Built Environment sector. Large investments, high stakes and fierce competition in the sector means that there is always a burning need for proper planning, organising and quick response to internal and external issues. Project managers are trained to have a structural approach to planning, managing, and controlling the resources. They manage time, cost, quality, and people.

Quantity Surveying

Quantity Surveyors manage the finances for construction projects. They conduct feasibility studies to estimate materials, time and labour costs on a project. They prepare, negotiate and analyse costs for tenders and contracts. They ensure that the projects are delivered within the given time and cost constraints. They also advise on a range of legal and contractual issues.

Facilities Management

Facility managers are responsible for planning and managing facility services which help to ensure that the entire built environment is safe, controlled and running smoothly. They enable the efficiency of a workplace and plan for both strategic and tactical operations.

Investment Management

A career as an investment manager requires one to evaluate projects with due diligence, get the most return on investment for clients and provide finance-related services in real estate environment.

Young professionals planning their career in a systematic manner must utilise this time to enhance themselves and upgrade their skills to land rewarding job roles in the BE market as the situation improves.

Ashwani Awasthi

Guest Author The author is Managing Director - South Asia, RICS School of Built Environment