Every year, there is $600 billion worth of new construction projects in the US, and the construction industry—which is the country’s second largest employer— is slated to recruit and train 240,000 new professionals each year to keep up with the growing demand. Besides all these new projects, and because a large part of today’s construction workforce is reaching retirement, there will be a high ongoing need for young talent.
There are many ways to go in construction: non-skilled workers, skilled trades, and management professionals are all necessary to put a project together.
Qualities Needed for Success in Construction —Got Them?
People Skills
Initiative
Integrity
Reliability
Listening
Asking the right questions
Ability to use tools
Strength for rigorous physical work, lifting, holding, carrying supplies
Excellent communications skills
Whether you are operating a backhoe or running a project, you’ll be working with others, sometimes hundreds of others. You should know how to listen and take direction…understand how to compromise…learn how to do your part on a team. Above all, appreciate that your objective should be the same as everyone else’s on the job, including the owner: a high quality structure built on time and within budget.
There are many ways to go in construction: non-skilled workers, skilled trades, and management professionals are all necessary to put a project together.
How You Work
Hours—generally 7 AM to 3 PM. But you’ll often be called on to work the night or weekend shift, and overtime means more pay.
You may be called on to do various tasks, such as reading blueprints or preparing construction sites, installing drywall and cabinets, supervising a team of workers, or even inspecting work to make sure it meets quality standards.
Fast Facts about Builders
Augmented reality is affecting construction—in winning more projects, improving safety and facilitating team interaction.
Women are increasingly joining the construction workforce, in skilled trades all the way to the executive suite.
From AI and advanced intelligent materials to drones and robotics, the construction industry is building better and more sustainably.
Skilled trades let you follow your passion in a specialized way.
Infrastructure builds big to move people and products.
There are many paths to construction and many ways to get there.
Construction is going green every which way, every day.
You can use your skills, make good money, and do something meaningful.
