The construction industry employs 7.7 million people in the U.S. As
more of these workers retire, the need to replace them is growing. If
you are thinking of a career in the trades, now is a good time to construct
a plan.
There are more than 40 separate careers under the construction umbrella.
The training for construction jobs varies depending upon the skills required. There
are several general options. You can find an employer to train you. You
can enter an apprenticeship program. Or, you can get a college diploma in
a trade.
Usually the minimum age is 16 and preference is given to those who have
completed high school. The availability may depend on where you live.
The length of a college program will depend upon which trade you study.
It's usually 40 weeks for a program and about four years for an apprenticeship.
Programs vary between schools, but all of them are designed to prepare students
for immediate employment after they finish.
Finding an employer, without going the apprenticeship route, can be difficult
and it is not always allowed. Licensing is mandatory for certain trades.
"In fact, in some states, and within some trades, plumbing, electrical,
and carpentry for example, it may be impossible because of the requirement
that an apprenticeship is mandated by law," says Patrick E. La Haye. He is
the apprenticeship coordinator at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
Some employers in construction prefer to hire workers with little experience.
Justin Bourne is the president of a contracting company. He prefers to train
his own workers to make sure they do the job to his standards.
"Most of the guys I've hired start off from scratch," says Bourne. "They
do clean up, basic cutting, and they work up from there." Bourne is looking
for workers who are motivated, hard-working and in good shape to handle physical
labor.Workers need to learn fast and show that they are capable. In return,
they gain valuable, paid experience working side-by-side with a professional.
"I will not leave an inexperienced guy alone with a saw that could take
off his arm in a second," says Bourne. He stresses that safety is the key
on the jobsite.
Bourne recommends getting a summer job to gain hands-on experience in construction.
You can try a few different trades to see what suits you best.
Some states offer Youth Apprenticeship programs. These programs can help
you to explore various trades.
"Some school districts grant high school credit for completing such a program.
The actual hands-on training within Youth Apprenticeship is limited but it
does serve as a good way to find out what the trade is all about," says La
Haye.
Allan Hackman is the strategic advisor for an apprenticeship commission.
He recommends getting a job first and supplementing it with training later.
"If you can find an employer willing to help you start off in the trade, it's
the best," says Hackman. "People still think that you go to school first,
then get a job. But the guilds have existed for centuries and that model
of on-the-job training has been proven to work!"
Apprenticeships have many advantages. For example, a contract says
that you must get quality, supervised, on-the-job training and related classroom
instruction. The term of most apprenticeships is three years or more. You
will get progressive wage increases. You will have steady employment and a
valid, recognized credential when you finish.
"Adult apprenticeship, in my opinion, is the very best way to enter a trade,"
says La Haye.
To be selected as an apprentice, apprenticeship committees and sponsoring
employers are looking for young people who are success-oriented. You can
show this by getting good grades and taking part in extracurricular activities,
says La Haye.
In high school, focus on math, science, physics, communication, and computer
science classes. Trades classes are great but not necessary.
"Definitely the maths and almost any natural science will help you," says
Hackman. "And English language arts -- you have to be able to communicate,
no matter how you look at it."
You may need to have a valid driver's license. Hand tools can run from
a few to several hundred dollars depending on the trade.
Texts books will also vary depending on the trade.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Construction
Laborers
For more information related to this field of study, see: Material
Moving Machine Operators
For more information related to this field of study, see: Construction
Managers
How House Construction Works
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National Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science
An organization dedicated to integrating women into non-traditional
careers