Major Challenges Faced by Civil Engineers Worldwide

Almost all the construction you see around, roads, airports, buildings or bridges, is because of engineers. They play a pivotal role in developing a nation and its infrastructure. But with great roles also come great responsibilities. Almost every civil engineer has a tight schedule to maintain and works for long hours.

But apart from their hectic schedule, civil engineers also face other obstacles peculiar to their domain. This blog will delve into them to prepare you if you want a career in this field. 

Health and Safety Hazards

The biggest challenge civil engineers face is the concern for their health and safety. There are many potential dangers on construction sites that can lead to accidents. Hence, it's no surprise that this industry has one of the highest rates of injuries. Some even lose their lives while on the job.

Different jurisdictions have laid out different rules for the safety of civil engineers. These rules must be adhered to at all times. Similarly, they must never compromise on the necessary protective equipment to prevent serious injuries.

Ensuring Compliance with Regulations

Construction is not a one-person job; it takes many people to complete a project successfully. Since a civil engineer leads all activities at the construction site, he must ensure compliance with the regulations laid out by government and regulatory bodies. If any of his workers flout the rules, he will be held accountable.

Moreover, the rules and regulations change with time, and engineers have to keep themselves updated with the latest developments. Further, there are other considerations and compliances to meet when a third party is involved in the construction work. A civil engineer has to be mindful of all these facts, making their job challenging.

Environmental Challenges

Since construction is an outdoor job, the environment poses hazards for timely project completion. Extreme weather like heavy rainfall, snowfall and heatwaves halt projects. As such, it becomes challenging for engineers to meet their deadlines. At times, the construction site has to be shut down because of the safety concerns brought about by natural disasters. A civil engineer has to make such unexpected pauses a part of his routine.

Challenges with Managing Contracts

During a project, many contractual disputes can arise. These can be related to work variations, onsite property damage and problems with craftsmanship. Handling such disputes also forms a part of the job of civil engineers.

On top of that, many third parties are involved in a project - electricians, plumbers, raw material suppliers, painters, etc. A civil engineer has to manage all of them and get the required job done.

Other Challenges

Here are some other issues you need to be prepared to deal with if you want to become a civil engineer in India.

• The working hours are usually long (12-14 hours most days). You may have to work till late at night.
• It’s a demanding job; there are hardly any days off or holidays.
• There are very few female co-workers on the construction site. It's a male-dominated industry.
• You’ll have to deal with a wide variety of people daily- project managers, workforce, clients and third parties.
• The job is physically strenuous. You’ll have to be standing and supervising for most of the day.
• Salaries might be inconsistent.
• You may be frequently transferred to different construction sites.

Upgrade Your Civil Engineering Skills with Skill-Lync

The engineering field is progressing rapidly. With such rapid change, engineers have to find ways to up-skill themselves and stay competitive in the market. Skill-Lync provides you with the opportunity to become a civil engineer with many of its practical courses, three of which are:  

• Post Graduate Program in High-Rise Building Design and Analysis
• Post Graduate Program in Infrastructure - Engineering Design and Project Management
• Post Graduate Program in Steel Structures

These courses are designed to give you in-depth, industry-specific knowledge in the modelling, analysis and design of high-rise and tall buildings, steel structures and other infrastructure projects. They will also familiarise you with the technology used in the industry, such as AutoCAD, Dynamo, STAAD.Pro, ETABS and Safe, etc.

These courses will make you eligible to apply for civil engineering jobs like:

• BIM modeller 
• Steel connection design engineer
• Structural design engineer
• Road design engineer
• Transportation engineer
• Viaduct design engineer

Conclusion

Every discipline has its challenges, and civil engineering is no different. Though their job is tough, civil engineers derive a lot of satisfaction from it. They play a critical role in the advancement of society. Preparing adequately for the job of a civil engineer may help you face these challenges head-on. Visit Skill-Lync's website to know more about the courses and the benefits you can gain from them.