The Associated General Contractors of America released a (January 2020) study showing that the construction industry was looking strong. The highest growth numbers were found in the construction jobs for building bridges, highways, schools, hospitals, and water and sewer systems.
Many construction activities have been delayed or canceled due to economic uncertainty. However, over the remaining forecast period of 2022-2024, construction jobs are expected to recover with an annual average growth of 1.1%. Let’s look at available specializations in this industry and the qualifications you need to pursue your career in construction.
There are many specializations within the construction industry – one in which the old saying is true – ‘There is never a dull moment.’ A few positions in demand include –
1) Construction Project Manager (a management position that involves hiring, scheduling, and solving problems as they arise)
2) Glazier (specializing in the construction of glass walls)
3) Mason (who creates the foundations of construction projects)
4) Construction Safety Officer (whose primary responsibility is to promote safety measures that lead to a higher staff retention percentage).
The post of Safety Officer is an excellent example of how varied specializations can be within construction. Their job may involve everything from implementing effective policies and regulations to selecting metal identification tags to issue warnings, track assets, and tag valves and pipes. In addition, the tags indicate information such as appropriate hitches, maximum loads, and lifting instructions.
Many paths lead to a career in construction – including paid apprenticeships, a college degree (in an area like construction engineering technology), and technician training. It is always a good idea to obtain official certification, so you can easily slide into an area that interests you. A degree from a construction school is your best bet.
The Philadelphia Technician Training Institute offers courses such as the Concrete, Masonry, & Framing Program, which is highly affordable and can be completed day or night. The course includes hands-on construction training and lifetime re-education on any facet of education in the same field. The average pay for a mason worker stands at around $46,500 annually. Still, you can make a significant increase in your masonry business.
Construction can be challenging. You need critical skills and abilities to perform your job safely and effectively. Some include physical strength and endurance, good hand-eye coordination, a quick reaction time, and good reading and mathematics skills. Communication is vital.
In addition to training in construction programs for your actual specialization, researching areas such as communication or completing online courses can help you create a more well-rounded CV that will catch the eye of HR professionals. Demonstrating your abilities in business will also be of aid, and indeed, investing in business studies will be more than worthwhile if you decide to launch a construction business of your own.
Many jobs in construction require using technologies such as drones, smartphones, and apps and building information modeling software. The latter is used to digitally model planned constructions, creating multiple metadata layers and rendering them. In addition, the use of BIM enables teams to work together efficiently since it allows each team member to add their expertise and work to the same model. Thus, the render can evolve and change as required, improving efficiency and speed.
Other essential technologies include 3D printing (for prefab projects), Artificial Intelligence (to execute planning update sequences and task management and boost productivity), and Virtual.
Reality (to ‘step into’ rendered projects to get a feel for what the project will look like in the future).
The construction industry is moving full steam ahead, despite the challenges posed by current events. If you are keen on working in this industry, obtaining the proper qualification will give you the edge over your competitors. It would be best if you also aimed to enrich your CV by acquiring skills through good construction training programs necessary for your job – including the use of technology, communication, and entrepreneurship.
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