The construction industry offers career options at different levels of education and training.
Many in-demand construction careers have no formal education requirements, or can be started with a high school diploma. Skills in these fields are often gained through on-the-job training or apprenticeship. These include carpenters, construction laborers, highway maintenance workers, painters, cement masons and concrete finishers, brick and block masons, and sheet metal workers.
Apprenticeship is a tradition in the construction industry, and it’s a great way to enter many fields—learning on the job while earning a paycheck. Apprenticeships in high demand fields include: bricklayer, carpenter, electrician, elevator constructor mechanic, pipe fitter, and plumber. Workers like these who have specialized skills in hands-on occupations are often referred to as “tradespeople.”
Some fields require a certificate or other short-term training, such as heating ventilation air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, construction equipment operators, and welders.
A college degree or several years of work experience is required for other positions, such as construction managers and supervisors, civil engineers and designers, or drafters.
Is a career in the construction industry for you? Keep these points in mind:
- Full-time work hours of 40 hours per week are pretty typical. Most projects operate on a deadline, and longer hours may sometimes be required.
- People in construction often say they prefer to work with their hands and have a variety of daily physical demands, rather than sit at a desk.
- Injuries are more common than in most industries: about 3% of workers each year have injuries or illness related to work.
- Many employers are open to hiring workers who have a criminal record.
- Workers see the result of their efforts in projects and structures they’ve helped build—some that will last for many years.