There are two options for taking the certification course at SD State University. First, you can find a civil engineer who will be willing to take the sitework construction course with you at no cost to you. Second, you can find a website that will offer the training that you need, but they will charge you for the certification. No matter which one you choose, there are advantages and disadvantages to the courses offered at SD State University.
First, with the sitework training you are not able to see the actual work that is being done during the course. You will have to rely on the training to know what you are looking at. This means that if you are not trained or you do not understand what you are seeing, then you may make mistakes when working on your project. It is very easy to make a mistake especially when you are doing a large project. But if you are trained, then you know what to look at and what to expect from your job.
Secondly, the certificate that you will receive is not really recognized by employers. If you want to work in a different location, then you will have to take the necessary tests to prove that you are competent. Even then, many employers still do not consider the certification because they believe that it is something that you should be able to pay someone else to do. But, in reality, most of these certifications are offered at low rates or for free. Therefore, you could actually save money by taking the certification course.
Third, you cannot take on any civil construction projects that require you to do site work on your own. The certification that you will receive will only be recognized by the department that you work for. Therefore, if you wish to take on any other jobs that involve construction, you will have to find someone who will allow you to do so without the need for the sitework certification. This can be difficult, but if you are dedicated to your career and if you really want to work in the construction field, then you should be willing to work without this certification.
Fourth, the program requires that you work for some time with your trainer before you become certified. This is not a requirement for all programs. Therefore, you should ensure that you find out if the school that you want to attend has this requirement before you register for any training. If it does not, then you may have to take a semester off to finish up your training. This should not take too long because most schools operate very smoothly, even when there is a little slack time between semesters.
Fifth, the certification is not easy to acquire. You will have to submit an application for it, along with a number of documents related to your past employment and education. After you submit this application, you will be notified of the date on which you will have to return to school and to begin your training. If you have not worked in the construction field before, then you may find that your certificate will not be approved because you will not have been trained properly for it. However, most schools understand that this is why people choose to get this training certification, rather than another option.
Six, you may have to work in the field for a number of years before you can apply for a certificate or a diploma. In this case, it may be a good idea to talk to an adviser at SD State University so that you can determine whether or not it is a good idea for you to go for this training. Many people decide that they would like to pursue a career in civil engineering after receiving their certificate, but do not go forward with their training because they are worried about how long it will take them to get their diploma. It may be a good idea for you to talk to your adviser and find out how long it will take for you to receive your degree.