Construction Industry and Career Overview

The construction industry produces a plethora of products to include houses, apartments, offices, schools, bridges and roads.These structures may be built brand new, or modified by additions, repairs, improvements, etc.The industry is divided into three basic segments: General or building construction, heavy and civil engineering and specialty trade construction.General contractors, also known as building contractors, build commercial, industrial and residential. General contractors generally specialize in one type of construction such as residential or industrial, usually coordinate all activities and take responsibility for the final job.General contractors may do a portion of the building with their own crews, but they often also subcontract some of the work to heavy construction or specialty trade contractors.Heavy and civil engineering construction contractors build roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, sewers, etc. Specialty trade contractors usually do the work of one specialized construction related activity such as, painting, electrical, or carpentry work, or the work of two or more trades, for example plumbing and heating.

Construction Occupations in the Industry

The construction industry offers a wide variety of career opportunities to individuals with many different educational backgrounds, talents and interests.The majority of workers within the industry are trade workers that include skilled and apprentice craft workers, construction laborers and managers.Typically construction trade workers are classified as either mechanical, structural, or finishing workers.Many workers are employed by large developers, while others may choose to work for local constructions companies, or home builders. Construction offers more opportunities than other industries for individuals who want to run and own their own business. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that the 1.9 million self-employed and unpaid family workers in 2004 performed work directly for property owners or acted as contractors on small jobs, such as remodeling, additions, and maintenance projects.The rate of self-employment varies greatly based on individual occupation within the construction trades.Painters had the highest percentage of self-employed workers, followed by carpet and floor installers and carpenters.

Required Skills, Training and Qualifications

Individuals may enter the construction industry via a variety of educational and training experiences. Those entering construction straight out of high school typically start as helpers, laborers, or apprentices.Some laborers can learn their job in a few days, while the required skills for some of the trade worker's job skills require some combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Occasionally skills can be learned entirely through informal on-the-job training, but the more education is encouraged. Skilled workers such as plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers, and other construction trade specialists usually get their formal instruction by attending a local technical, community, vocational or trade school or through an apprenticeship, or other employer-provided training program. Safety training is also required for most jobs and good English speaking skills are essential for workers to advance within their trade. Those in managerial positions usually have a college degree or significant experience in their specialty. Individuals who have a college degree usually start as management trainees or construction managers' assistants.

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