Civil engineering is a very vast and diverse field, so it’s no surprise that public knowledge is limited surrounding what it is and what civil engineers do.

Whilst people may think it just relates to transport infrastructure, such as roads, civil engineering actually covers every kind of infrastructure – transport links, access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, buildings and much more.

What is civil engineering?

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) defines civil engineering as “the design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure, from bridges to flood defences, wind turbines to tunnels, and more.”

Due to its complex and diverse nature, people working in civil engineering can specialise in things such as structures, materials, geotechnics, water engineering and surveying. And it’s not just about the physical labour – the profession also requires lots of important skills including teamwork, presenting, project management and report writing. 

At Minster Group, our team of civil engineers are proud to help keep Britain moving. They are trained and equipped to deliver a range of civil engineering projects from concept to delivery, whether this is street furniture for city centre shopping streets, groundworks and drainage installations for major infrastructure projects, or line painting for airfields and bypasses. 

What do civil engineers do? 

Civil engineers are responsible for developing innovative solutions that redefine skylines, enhance transport systems and ensure structures are resilient against natural forces. 

Their work contributes to a country or region’s economic growth and enhances quality of life for communities by creating, improving and protecting the environment in which we live. 

And protecting the environment is a key focus, with sustainability being a big part of civil engineering. Our air, water and energy resources are all managed by civil engineers, and their work helps to protect us from natural disasters and hazards, like earthquakes and toxic wastes. 

Minster Group places great value on doing all we can to protect the environment. That’s why we embrace innovation and the latest technology to use resources responsibly, with waste reduction strategies used throughout our processes. 

We’re dedicated to recycling, using a variety of tools and techniques at every stage of the construction process and preventing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of material from going to landfill. In partnership with our specialist recycling company, Alliance Recycling, we recycle approximately 50% of the road material we handle.  This can then be used to produce farm tracks, industrial yards and car parks which are 100% recycled, or it can be used to create the sub-base, base and binder course layers of new roads. 

Where do civil engineers work? 

The work of civil engineers is required in all walks of life and there are many different places that they might work. For example, some civil engineers might work for government agencies, whereas others might work for a construction company or even the military. 

And the location of work is often very varied too – during the planning stage of a project they might spend most of their time in an office setting, but during implementation stages they could find themselves on a construction site giving hands-on, practical advice. 

Where civil engineers work also depends on which area of civil engineering they work in. With it being so diverse and with so many options available, one civil engineer’s job role may be totally different to another’s – that’s the beauty of the profession!

Are you interested in a career in civil engineering and have a passion to work in transport infrastructure with local authorities, major developers and national retailers? If so, contact us to learn more and find out how you can get involved.