Leading a team to construct and maintain structures, facilities and systems, a construction manager oversees the organization, schedule, budget and implementation of construction projects. They plan, schedule and coordinate activities to meet deadlines, prepare and submit estimates, interpret and explain plans and contract terms to the representatives of the owner.
Construction managers also investigate damage, accidents and delays at project sites and modify plans accordingly. They order supplies and materials, develop and implement quality control programs and perform pre-building assessments.
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- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Offshore, Pipelines, Oil sands
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary $65,000 to $84,000
- Education Post-secondary degree
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
- Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Education
- A post-secondary degree in civil engineering or a college diploma in construction technology is usually required.
- Several years of experience including experience as a construction supervisor or field superintendent are usually required.
Licensing
- Professional engineering status or construction trade certification may be required by some employers.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Work away from home/in camps
- Building and construction
- Administration and management
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Customer and personal service
- Design
- Mathematics
- Public safety and security
- Mechanical
- Economics and accounting
- Sub-sector Contracted and turnaround maintenance, Construction, Start-up and commissioning, Modular fabrication
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Skills Upgrading Minor
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Refocus
Construction managers working in oil and natural gas may expect to complete some minor upskilling to transition to the same role in industrial construction and maintenance in energy. Familiarity with major capital projects and construction experience will help facilitate an easier career change. Requirements may vary depending on the life cycle phase of a project. For instance, with contracted and turnaround maintenance, the work environment can be fast paced and a construction manager may be hired on a contract basis for temporary assignments. In the construction, start-up and commissioning life and modular fabrication life cycle phases of a project, a worker skilled with constructing infrastructure that incorporates the latest automation, digital technology and energy efficient techniques, materials and equipment will be valuable. Rotations in construction and start-up and commissioning tend to be longer than operations rotations. In modular fabrication, workers will experience a manufacturing approach to design and construction , which results in smaller, repeatable projects which can take place in shops close to home.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in industrial construction and maintenance in energy may include:
- Operating computer-assisted design software such as AutoCAD. (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
- Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in industrial construction and maintenance may include:
- Certification in project management, such as the PMP designation. (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- WHMIS (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Proficiency with design and drafting software such as AutoCAD. (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
Education
- A post-secondary degree in civil engineering or a college diploma in construction technology is usually required.
- Several years of experience including experience as a construction supervisor or field superintendent are usually required.
Licensing
- Professional engineering status or construction trade certification may be required by some employers.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Travel required (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Work away from home/in camps (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Primarily outdoor work (modular fabrication)
- Primarily indoor/office work (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Physical work (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Safety-sensitive environment (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Transition to a similar level (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Career development fostered/supported (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Urban location (construction)
- Potentially unionized (contracted and turnaround maintenance | construction |modular fabrication)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Work away from home/in camps
- Building and construction
- Administration and management
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Customer and personal service
- Design
- Mathematics
- Public safety and security
- Mechanical
- Economics and accounting
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
A construction manager working in oil and natural gas may need to complete some minor upskilling to work in LNG facility operation. Knowledge of site preparation, offsite fabrication, access road and plant construction, start-up and commissioning may be required.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in LNG facility operation may include:
- Managing and executing large, complex projects associated with process and production optimization, asset management and energy efficiency.
- Navigating a strict regulatory environment.
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
- Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in LNG facility operation may include:
- Project management certification such as the PMP designation.
Education
- A post-secondary degree in civil engineering or a college diploma in construction technology is usually required.
- Several years of experience including experience as a construction supervisor or field superintendent are usually required.
Licensing
- Professional engineering status or construction trade certification may be required by some employers.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to LNG include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Travel required
- Work away from home/in camps
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Career development fostered/supported
- Rural location
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Work away from home/in camps
- Building and construction
- Administration and management
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Customer and personal service
- Design
- Mathematics
- Public safety and security
- Mechanical
- Economics and accounting
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
A construction manager working in oil and natural gas may need to complete some minor upskilling to work in petrochemicals and refining. Knowledge of site preparation, offsite fabrication, access road and plant construction, start-up and commissioning may be required.
In addition to the activities below, other activities in petrochemicals and refining may include:
- Managing and executing large, complex projects associated with process and production optimization, asset management and energy efficiency.
- Navigating a strict regulatory environment.
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
- Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in petrochemicals and refining may include:
- Project management certification such as the PMP designation.
Education
- A post-secondary degree in civil engineering or a college diploma in construction technology is usually required.
- Several years of experience including experience as a construction supervisor or field superintendent are usually required.
Licensing
- Professional engineering status or construction trade certification may be required by some employers.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Travel required
- Work away from home/in camps
- Potential for relocation
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Career development fostered/supported
- Rural location
- Potentially unionized
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Work away from home/in camps
- Building and construction
- Administration and management
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Customer and personal service
- Design
- Mathematics
- Public safety and security
- Mechanical
- Economics and accounting
- Sub-sector Geothermal, Solar, Wind
- Environment Primarily outdoor work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Skills Upgrading Minor
-
Refocus
A construction manager working in oil and natural gas may need to complete some minor upskilling to make a career change to the geothermal sub-sector of renewables. More significant upskilling may be required to transition to the solar and wind sub-sectors. Workers will likely need renewables experience, including knowledge of solar processes and equipment or wind turbines or processes.
In this occupation, activities may include:
- Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
- Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in renewables may include:
- Project management certification such as the PMP designation. (geothermal | solar | wind)
Education
- A post-secondary degree in civil engineering or a college diploma in construction technology is usually required.
- Several years of experience including experience as a construction supervisor or field superintendent are usually required.
Licensing
- Professional engineering status or construction trade certification may be required by some employers.
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to renewables include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Travel required (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Work away from home/in camps (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Primarily outdoor work (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Physical work (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Less formal organizational structure (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Safety-sensitive environment (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Transition to a similar level (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Rural location (geothermal | solar | wind)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily outdoor work
- Physical work
- Work away from home/in camps
- Building and construction
- Administration and management
- Engineering and technology
- English language
- Customer and personal service
- Design
- Mathematics
- Public safety and security
- Mechanical
- Economics and accounting
The renewables sector is further divided into sub-sectors:
Geothermal
- Transferability: Refocus
- Skills upgrade: Minor
- Average salary range: Equal to oil and gas
Solar
- Transferability: Reboot
- Skills upgrade: Major
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
Wind
- Transferability: Reboot
- Skills upgrade: Major
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
What does this mean for workers?
Workers will find that the ease of a career change from oil and natural gas into renewables may vary by sub-sector. There could be differences in the need to upskill, gain knowledge and experience, expected salary range and varying work environments. Further research on the sector or consultation with a career advisor may be required.
