Workers in the building industry are responsible for every structure we see...skyscrapers & mini-marts, bridges & tunnels, sewers & factories.
From start to finish, there are many kinds of jobs involved: laying the foundation, installing support beams, welding pipes, carving and painting decorative wood pieces, and installing electrical systems are just a few examples.
Work can be physically demanding but highly rewarding as you will always be able to SEE the results of your efforts...
Plus with salaries ranging from the low 20,000s for a starting residential construction worker to over 100,000 a year for a manager, there is plenty of room for growth!
Learn more...
#67 The growing concern for public safety and improvements in the quality of construction will continue to stimulate the demand for construction and building inspectors.
#64 Expected growth in the building industry will contribute to the demand for landscaping, grounds-keeping, nursery, greenhouse, and lawn service workers.
Source: Montgomery County Public Schools, Career & Technology Education Team
It is possible to enter the building industry right out of high school without formal classroom training…on-the-job training can last a few days to a few years depending on whether you want to be a general laborer or a specialist, like a plumber or a carpenter. Apprenticeships (usually administered by trade unions/associations or local companies) are also a good way to go and can last 3-5 years. You get on-the-job training and classroom instruction. If your goal is to hold a management or administrative position, you will likely need a college degree or many years of experience.
WHAT YOU CAN BE
General building contractors build commercial, industrial, residential and other types of buildings.
Heavy construction contractors build roads, bridges, sewers, highways, tunnels and other projects.
Special trade contractors are take part in activities like painting, carpentry, electrical work & plumbing.
General contractors generally manage construction jobs, using their crew but also hiring (‘contracting’) special trade or heavy construction contractors.
RESOURCES/LINKS
Videos about construction jobs: http://www.constructmyfuture.com/stu-vidart.html
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company: http://www.whiting-turner.com/
Look up schools with construction training programs: http://www.constructmyfuture.com/stu-schools.cfm
Read about the Top Ten construction projects of the 20th century!: http://www.constructmyfuture.com/stu-coolstuff.html
The Loading Dock: nonprofit building materials refuse center; need volunteers for all kinds of work – www.loadingdock.org (410) 728-DOCK
Information about jobs in construction: http://www.constructmyfuture.com
Read an article about women in construction: http://hourlyandskilled.monster.com/trades/articles/edecker%5Fwomen/
Jobs in Construction:
http://www.constructionjobs.com/
http://www.careersinconstruction.com/cic/Home.do
http://www.constructionwork.com/
http://www.tradejobsonline.com/
Information on Training, Education and Certification
Hundreds of Links with Construction Information: http://www.constructionweblinks.com/
More construction links: http://www.constructmyfuture.com/stu-links.html
List of construction related scholarships: http://www.constructmyfuture.com/stu-scholarships.html
Construction Management Association of America Scholarship: http://cmaa.net/scholarships.php
(Sources: Monster.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
){kind=link}