Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Quantity Surveying

QUANTITY SURVEYING-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY

WHAT IS QUANTITY SURVEYING AND WHO IS A QUANTITY SURVEYOR?

Quantity surveying is one of the most interesting and critical professions and yet one of the least known professions in Zambia as most people have got no idea of its existence. Most students start to pursue this programme with little information of what it is all about and what a Quantity Surveyor does. Quantity surveying is a field of study that involves detailed calculations and measurements taken from the Architect’s drawings to quantify the materials, planning and labour required to construct the building.

A quantity surveyor is someone who has studied Quantity surveying and graduated with a diploma or degree from a well-recognized college or university in Zambia or abroad. He/she is someone who manages all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. They seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required standards and quality.

WHERE DO QUANTITY SURVEYORS WORK?

Quantity surveyors can work for government departments and agencies where they seek to minimise the cost and risk of a construction project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required legal standards and quality. They also work for large engineering consultancies and housing associations where they ensure that statutory building regulations are met. They also work for commercial businesses, large international mechanical contractors and local authorities where they prepare estimates and costs of the work and when the project is in progress, they keep track of any variations to the contract that may affect costs and create reports to show profitability.  Working either for the client or the contractor, in an office or on site, they are involved in every stage of a project. Projects include commercial, industrial and residential constructions. They also work as private practice quantity surveyors (PQS), work for petroleum engineering companies like TAZAMA pipeline and INDENI as well as in mines.

Many employers operate in a multidisciplinary capacity, so you’re likely to work alongside other surveying professionals, such as civil engineers and architects.

WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?

Tasks for quantity surveyors will vary to a certain extent depending on whether you work for a consultancy as a private quantity surveyor (PQS) or for a contractor.

Quantity surveyors who work as private quantity surveyors – PQS their tasks include: advising clients from the initial design stage, working out the budget for the job and then putting it out for tender to contractors. The contractor’s quantity surveyor will usually be more hands-on, working on site and will liaise with the PQS.  Generally, a quantity surveyor, typically needs to assist in establishing a client’s requirements and undertake feasibility studies to ensure their proposals will work. They prepare, analyse and project costing for tenders, such as materials, quantities, labour and time. They also prepare tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities with the architect and/or the client, and negotiate contracts. In addition to this, quantity surveyors also prepare work schedules, allocate work to subcontractors and oversee their work at all stages of the construction, perform risk and value management and cost control during construction. Other tasks include cost analysis for repair and maintenance project work, advising on procurement strategies, contractual claims and disputes, and analysis of outcomes among other things.

WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A QUANTITY SURVEYOR?

Working hours are typically 37 to 40 hours per week. If you work for a consultancy (private practice) or in a government department, you’ll typically work a standard office working week (08:00hours – 17:00hours Monday to Friday). If you work for a contractor on site, your working hours may be longer and you may have to do shift work. Occasionally, working on weekends may be required.

WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?

Quantity surveyors, can find a job in construction projects throughout Zambia. It is also possible to be self-employed and work freelance, especially with experience. Job opportunities can also be sought abroad.

They also find jobs in government and other well-established companies where they typically start the career as a trainee quantity surveyor and once qualified, they move on to junior/assistant surveyor, supporting the work of senior surveyors. They usually spend around two to three years in a junior role, developing your skills and experience. They then move on to an intermediate role, working independently and going on to manage larger scale projects with bigger budgets and limited or no supervision. It’s important to gain experience to improve your career prospects and salary. Once you’ve become an experienced quantity surveyor, you may wish to continue working across a broad range of disciplines or specialise in a certain type of infrastructure, such as road or bridge construction. With a further two to three years’ experience, it’s possible to move into a senior surveying role in any company, with responsibility for trainee and junior surveyors.

WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?

To enjoy being a quantity surveyor you’ll need to have written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clear reports in order to convey complex information in a simple way to a diverse range of people, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and develop relationships, numerical and data analysis skills, a creative and innovative approach to problem solving, IT skills and the ability to learn sophisticated design and costing IT packages, team work skills and the ability to motivate and lead those on site, project management skills, resilience, determination and the ability to work well under pressure, good commercial awareness, a practical, attention to detail, detailed knowledge of past and current building and construction technology, processes, materials, business and legal matters.

Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Quantity Surveying

WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?

When one enrols into university to study Quantity Surveying, they will learn the following subjects:

First Year: Studio Project, Built Environment, Introduction to Economics, Introduction to Physical and Human Geography, Introduction to Sociology, Communication Skills, Mathematics.

Second Year: Studio Projects, Construction Technology and Building Services I, Structures I, Land Surveying, Building Economics I, Computer Application and Statistics.

Third Year: Measurement Studio II, Construction Technology and Building Services II, Structures II, Measurements I, Legal Studies, Building Economics II.

Fourth Year Courses: Measurement Studio, Construction Technology and Building Services III, Theory and Practice of Quantity Surveying, Measurements II, Construction Law, Building Economics III, Research Methodology

Fifth Year Courses: Thesis Project, Professional Practice, Project Management, Measurement III, Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights and Practical Training

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

Minimum entry requirements to this program are 5 O’ level credits inclusive of mathematics and English.

WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A QUANTITY SURVEYOR?

To work as a quantity surveyor, alternative qualifications are construction management, economics, civil engineering, actuarial science, mathematics or statistics. But typically, a Zambian quantity surveyor needs to have a degree in quantity surveying.

WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?

Further career advancement is possible into roles such as quantity surveyor manager, project manager, or contracts or commercial manager. You’ll usually need a minimum of ten years’ experience for these types of roles, and leadership skills as well as advanced communication and analytical skills. But to avoid so many years of work experience to get top job positions, you may decide to pursue a master’s degree in quantity surveying, or economics or statistics or mathematics or geography or commercial management. A master’s degree gives you an upper hand when it comes to advancing your career in competitive environments especially abroad. It’s a sign that apart from general skills, you have taken keen interest to master one area of your job more than other people. With a master’s degree one would become a university lecturer as well.

INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER OUANTITY SURVEYING

COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Built Environment
Intakes: January
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 290816 / +260 212 290817 / +260 212 290815
E-mail: academicoffice@cbu.ac.zm
Website: www.cbu.ac.zm/fees/

Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Real Estate Management

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY

WHAT IS REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT AND WHO IS A REAL ESTATE MANAGER?

Real Estate Management is the business of managing land and buildings, including activities such as keeping buildings in good condition and organizing the renting of property.

A real estate agent/officer/manager is a person who studied real estate management at college or university in Zambia or abroad. He or she is a specialist in selling and renting out buildings and land for clients. They oversee the operational aspects of commercial and residential properties and are responsible for maintaining the premises and increasing their value. Some managers may provide services for multiple buildings or locations.

WHERE DO REAL ESTATE MANAGERS WORK?

In Zambia real estate agents/officers/managers work for privately owned Zambian real estate companies registered under the Registration of Companies Act of Zambia. There are many Real estate companies in Zambia where graduates of real estate management can work like the following: Blackwell Consulting Allianz (BCA) Investments Limited situated in Northmead Lusaka. Maroon Estates Limited situated in Chalala-New Kasama, Lusaka, Pikimont Properties situated in Lusaka. I M Malama And Co Ltd Situated along BUTEKO AVE, Ndola, HOMENET ZAMBIA Zambian Property Specialists, Horizon Properties Real estate agency, Pam Golding Properties Real estate, Oak Tree Real Estate Zambia, Sherwood Greene Properties Real estate agency Mukuba Pension Lusaka, The Property Shop Real estate agency, Goldcrest Properties Limited, Homes Platinum Real Estate Lusaka. And other many unmentioned real estate companies that have a hearted aim of bringing professionalism to the real estate sector in Zambia. Most of them are situated in Lusaka and on the Copperbelt.

A bachelor’s degree in real estate management can also make you work anywhere including in government and other private sector companies.

WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?

The tasks for real estate agents/managers are similar in all companies. The job requires the development of skills in many different areas. For example, real estate agents/officers/managers need to understand the details of property transactions, as well as finance, government regulations and local and state tax structures. On any given day, a real estate manager might do research on property values, create plans for property development, ensure analysis is done on whether a certain development idea will be profitable, assess the risk of large-scale property investments, inspect a property in person, bring together different investors on property deals.

They also have a different type of tasks depending on the scope of their position, they might meet with potential new renters, manage property repairs and negotiate contracts with landscapers, trash removal companies and other services. Property managers also work often in areas such as Lusaka, Copperbelt and other places in Zambia. They often are hired by out-of-town clients to manage a property. They may also work in larger cities with more rental properties that are bought as investments by owners. In either case, those who work as real estate managers and property managers will deal with issues such as leasing contracts, sales, marketing and the financial end of leasing or developing property. In addition to these business tasks, real estate managers require expertise in appraising and evaluating the worth of a property.

WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A REAL ESTATE MANAGER?

Real estate managers work out of an office, the office is only needed for paper work, they spend much of their time in the field. They make onsite visits to assess the value of a property. They meet with clients to talk about the marketing and sale of their property, or the potential for development. They also meet with potential buyers, as well as representatives from insurance companies, construction companies, staffing companies, permitting agencies, property title agencies and more. This is all out of office and they even work on the weekend and public holidays.

WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?

In Zambia, opportunities for property, real estate and community association agents/managers across the country are expected to grow, due to the expansion of residential and commercial properties. This means demand for real estate agents is increasing. Aside from that most graduates of bachelor’s degree in real estate management can find jobs in any other business companies and in government department, this is because a degree in any field of study a mind opener that can get you a job anywhere. And most graduates of real estate managements become self-employed.

WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?

To enjoy working as a real estate manager in Zambia, you need to be someone with high-level finance and business strategy skills. So-called “soft skills” are also important, as real estate agent/managers deal with many different people daily. The ability to negotiate also is critical. For property managers, managing outside workers such as landscaping companies and maintenance workers requires advanced managerial skills. Time management also proves critical for real estate managers. Often faced with juggling several development projects at once as well as dealing with many different people within each project. Real estate agents/managers must develop the time management skills to properly handle their day-to-day tasks.

Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Real Estate Management

WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?

Subjects covered during the course of study include Built Environment, Introduction to Economics, Introduction to Physical and Human Geography, Construction and Services, Land Economics, Land Information Systems, Principles of Management, Mathematics of Finance, Real Estate Information Systems, Business Finance, Law of Contract and Torts, Principles of Valuation, Financial Accounting, Real Property Law, Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights, Housing Economics & Policies, Land Policy and Development, and Applied Valuation among others.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

To qualify for this program, you need to have (5) Ordinary levels including Mathematics and English.

WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A REAL ESTATE MANAGER

While it is possible to enter the field with a secondary school certificate, some employers may prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study, such as business administration or facility management or finance.

WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?

Most employers prefer applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in real estate, finance or business administration. Managers often receive on-the-job training, including how to operate and repair any machines or equipment located on the premises. For this reason advancing your qualification with an MBA can put graduates into a good position to succeed in property management or real estate management. An MBA provides graduates with expertise in business strategy, risk analysis and practical application of economic theory. All of these can help a real estate agent/manager succeed in putting together complex business deals involving property development.

A master’s degree gives you an upper hand when it comes to finding new jobs that are not even related to real estate management in competitive environments in Zambia especially abroad. It’s a sign that apart from general skills, you have taken keen interest to master one area of your job more than other people. With a master’s degree one would become a university lecturer as well.

INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT

COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (Degree) / 2 years (Master’s)
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Built Environment
Intakes: January
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 290816 / +260 212 290817 / +260 212 290815
E-mail: academicoffice@cbu.ac.zm
Website: www.cbu.ac.zm/fees/

UNIVERSITY OF LUSAKA
Programme duration: 4 years Degree
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Business
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 258505 / +260 962 127952 / +260 976 075850
E-mail: academic@unilus.ca..zm
Website: www.unilus.ac.zm/fees.php

Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Safety and Occupational Health

SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY

WHAT IS SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND WHO IS A SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SPECIALIST?

Occupational health and safety is the field of public health that studies trends in illnesses and injuries in the worker population and proposes and implements strategies and regulations to prevent them. Its scope is broad, encompassing a wide variety of disciplines from toxicology and epidemiology to ergonomics and violence prevention.

A safety and occupational health graduate is someone who has studied and graduated with a diploma or degree in safety and occupational health at a well-known college or university in Zambia or abroad. He/she is a specialist in monitoring of the health and safety of employees in the workplace.

WHERE DO SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS WORK?

The largest employers of occupational health and safety specialists were as follows:

They work in Government departments and agencies, e.g. at ZESCO they work as SHEQ officers. They also work in mines, manufacturing industry, construction companies, hospitals, they also work in various companies in management, and they also do technical consulting services.

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work in a variety of settings, such as offices or factories. Their jobs often involve considerable fieldwork and travel. They may be exposed to dangerous or stressful conditions. They use gloves, helmets, respirators, and other personal protective and safety equipment to minimize the risk of illness and injury.

WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?

Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians typically do the following tasks on daily basis:

Inspect, test and evaluate workplace environments, equipment and practices to ensure that they follow safety standards and government regulations, prepare written reports on their findings, design and implement workplace processes and procedures that help protect workers from hazardous work conditions, evaluate programs on workplace health and safety, educate employers and workers about workplace safety by preparing and  providing training programs, demonstrate the correct use of safety equipment, investigate incidents and accidents to identify what caused them and how they might be prevented.

They also examine the workplace for environmental or physical factors that could affect employee health, safety, comfort, and performance. They may examine factors such as lighting, equipment, materials, and ventilation. Some develop and conduct employee safety and training programs. These programs cover a range of topics, such as how to use safety equipment correctly and how to respond in an emergency.

WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH GRADUATE?

Most occupational health and safety specialists and technicians work full time. Some may work weekends or irregular hours in emergencies.

Occupational health and safety specialists can assist in offices, warehouses, shops, construction sites and more by preventing hazards before they occur. Workers are busy with their normal routines, meeting deadlines, and progressing in their own careers. They should not have to worry about their safety and risk of injury. That is why occupational health and safety specialists commit themselves to workplace safety, finding and solving occupational risks to health and well-being. It is a career for those who want to solve problems that may save lives. Hence, they don’t have specific work schedule.

WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?

Applicants for jobs as occupational health and safety specialists or technicians with a background in the sciences, experience in more than one area of health and safety, or certification have the best job prospects in Zambia. Specialists and technicians are needed to work in a variety of industries, mines and government agencies to ensure that employers are adhering to both existing and new regulations. In addition, specialists are necessary because insurance costs and workers’ compensation costs have become a concern for many employers and insurance companies. An aging population is remaining in the workforce longer than past generations did, and older workers usually have a greater proportion of workers’ compensation claims.

They can find jobs in mines such as Nevada Gold Mines in Lumwana, first quantum in solwezi, Mopani Coppermine, among other companies. They take jobs with titles such as Analysis or Research Safety Inspector, Cause Analyst, Certified Indoor Environmentalist, Certified Industrial Hygienist, Certified Professional Ergonomist, Chief of Safety and Protection, Chief Safety Officer, Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety Director, Environmental Health Inspector, Environmental Health Sanitarian, Environmental Health Technologist, SHEQ officer. To mention but a few.

WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?

To enjoy working as a safety and occupational health specialist in Zambia, you must be someone comfortable to work with advanced technology because you will often work with complex testing equipment. One must also have good communication skills; you must be able to communicate safety instructions and concerns to employees and managers. You need to be able to work with technicians to collect and test samples of possible hazards, such as dust in the workplace. One must also be detail oriented, you must pay attention to details. You need to recognize and adhere to specific safety standards and government regulations. One must also have Physical stamina. You must be able to stand for long periods and be able to travel regularly. Some specialists work in environments that can be uncomfortable, such as tunnels or mines. Problem-solving skills. Occupational health and safety specialists must be able to solve problems. They need to be able to find solutions to unsafe working conditions and environmental concerns in the workplace.

Scroll to the bottom for a list of Institutions that offer Safety and Occupational Health

WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?

Once you enrol to study safety and occupation health, you are expected to do the following subjects, Introduction to occupational health and safety, Fundamental Principles of Occupational Health, Principles of health & safety management, Zambian Health & Safety Regulations, Contemporary issues in health and safety, Workplace and Work Equipment Safety, Loss causation and incident investigation, Hazardous Substances in the Workplace, Environmental Issues and Control Practice.

During their college years, students are exposed to internship opportunities in areas focused on health and occupational safety to gain real-life experience. In some special cases, companies may offer certification or recommendations to health and safety practitioners who have completed a certain amount of work.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

To qualify for this program, you need to have 5 O’ level credits including Mathematics and English.

WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SPECIALIST?

Occupational health and safety specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related scientific or technical field, such as environment health/engineering, occupational safety management, biology or chemistry or industrial hygiene, health physics or ergonomics and accident prevention. Students can major in other areas such as biology, civil engineering, environmental engineering, and occupational safety if they want options.

WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?

Professionals who want to advance their careers further should consider earning an OHS degree. The bachelor’s degree allows someone to pursue a master’s such as in Safety and Occupational Health, environment health or engineering, public health, occupational safety management or industrial hygiene. This allows for specialization into a particular safety field. Specialization provides professionals with a competitive edge that can benefit your career growth because a master’s degree is a sign that apart from general skills, you have taken keen interest to master one area of your job more than other people. With a master’s degree one would become a university lecturer as well.

INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER SAFETY AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

ZAMBIA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: Faculty of Health Sciences
Intakes: January and July
Location: Kalulushi
Contacts
Tel: (+260) 212 730 209 or (+260) 974305033 or (+260) 968948551
E-mail: registrar@zcuniversity.edu.zm or regoffice@zcuniversity.edu.zm
Website: www.zcuniversity.edu.zm/financeandfees.html

COPPERSTONE UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma) / 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Health Sciences
Intakes: January and July
Location: Baluba – Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 965 571607
E-mail: copperstonecustomercare@gmail.com
Website: www.copperstone.education

UNIVERSITY OF AFRICA
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma) / 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: Faculty of Health Sciences
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 (0) 211 230 812
E-mail: admissions@keystoneuoa.com
Website: www.keystoneuoa.com/pricing#FeeStructure

CITIZEN UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma) / 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Health Sciences
Intakes: June/July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 968 817841
E-mail: kafula@citizenuniversity.ac.zm
Facebook: The Citizen University

ZAMBIA AIR SERVICES TRAINING INSTITUTE
Programme duration: 10 days (short course)
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: Ground Sciences School
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: (+260) 211 271293
E-mail: admissions@zasti.ac.zm
Website: www.zasti.ac.zm/

LUANSHYA TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS COLLEGE (LTBC)
Programme duration: 2 years Diploma
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Intakes: January
Location: Luanshya
Contacts
Tel: +206978395180
E-mail: info@ltbc.edu.zm
Website: www.ltbc.edu.zm

SHEQ BUSINESS COLLEGE
Programme duration: 1 year (certificate) / 2 years Diploma
Mode of study: Full-Time and Part-Time
Admitting school: School of Health Sciences
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 966846275
E-mail: info@sheqtraininginstitute.org
Facebook: SHEQ Business College

LIVINGSTONE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF TOURISM EXCELLENCE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Environment and Tourism
Intakes: January, July and September
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: (+260) 977203923
E-mail: admissions@lietebmuniversity.org
Website: liutebmuniversity.org