What Skilled Trade Careers Are There in Construction?
Skilled trades are the backbone of the construction industry. With the combined expertise and collaboration of welders, electricians, and HVAC technicians, commercial buildings, and private residences in communities across the U.S. are built to the highest standards. Let us take a closer look at a few of the skilled tradespeople who work in the construction industry.
What Skilled Trade Careers Are There in Construction?
Welders Work in Construction
Welders can help hold an entire construction project together. Although most residential homes are made of wood, skyscrapers and commercial buildings rely on massive steel girders to rise into the sky. Welders cut structural metal pieces and weld them together through various techniques. They also construct and install steel girders and cut and bolt steel bars to reinforce concrete. They do important work, and at the end of each day, welding inspectors make sure that the work was done well and is up to code.
Electricians on a Construction Site
Electricians are responsible for the assembly and installation of the electrical systems in new buildings and homes. They usually get on site when an edifice is partially built so they can wire the building for electricity before the walls are up. They install piping to hold and conceal the wires, and then attach the wires to the proper switches and outlets. Once the building is up and running, electricians can come back to maintain and service the electrical system when there are short circuits, dead outlets, or lighting problems. They also come back for renovations and upgrades.
HVAC Technicians
Like electricians, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians start work on the construction site before a building is fully built. They install HVAC units, ducts, and vents. They make sure the building has proper air flow and ventilation and ensure compliance with building codes during the installation process. HVAC technicians will also continue to service the system when there are mechanical issues, broken parts, or a loss of energy efficiency.
Why Choose a Career in the Construction Industry?
Wouldn’t it be great to build something that will stand the test of time and be a legacy to your work long after you have retired? In construction, you work with your hands and your brain on changing landscapes. If the idea of sitting behind a desk or at a factory station is not for you, a construction career might be a great path to pursue. Consider some of the benefits to a skilled trades career in construction.
Job Stability for Skilled Construction Laborers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of construction laborers is expected to remain steady over the next decade1. But specialty workers like electricians and HVAC technicians are in even more demand2, 3. This is due in part to workers retiring or leaving the industry for new jobs being created. In 2021, President Biden signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Law4, which invests in the improvement of aging and outdated transportation infrastructure and replacement of old electrical systems, among other areas of construction. It also incentivizes the manufacturing of construction materials in the U.S. What does this mean for those interested in the trades? With more than 40,000 infrastructure projects already in the works across the U.S., and more than 670,000 construction jobs created since 2021, your skills as a tradesperson will be in demand.
Construction Workers Work Across the Country
Construction is a prominent industry, so jobs can be found anywhere in the U.S. If you choose to relocate to another city, state, or region, you can easily search for open skilled trade positions in your area. Texas and New York are among the top employers of electricians and HVAC technicians5, 6.
Construction is Not a Typical 9-to-5 Job
If you are not the type to sit behind a desk all day or at a factory station, the skilled trades might be a great fit for you. When you work in the construction industry, you work with your hands, but you also need to use problem-solving skills. You may work outdoors to start, but as a project progresses, you may spend time indoors to complete or test an HVAC or electrical system. You also will not have a typical 9-to-5 schedule. You may start work early in the morning or work overnight shifts to avoid disruptions to traffic. You might also have frequent days off when the weather can negatively impact your safety and ability to work. For example, the cold weather in the north and the heat advisories and hurricanes in the south can pause construction projects.
How to Become a Skilled Tradesperson
Before you can work on a construction site, you need to have the right knowledge and skills. A career training program from an accredited institution is a good place to start. Here are a few other factors to consider:
Industry-Experienced Instructors
Find out if the program you choose has instructors with industry experience. Those who have worked in the skilled trades can share insights beyond a textbook or classroom project. They can tell you about the lessons they learned as a professional in the real world.
Campus Facilities and Equipment
You will also want hands-on experience with modern equipment in updated facilities. While you will sit through discussions on the fundamentals of your industry, safety, compliance, and building codes, a lot of what you learn should be in labs and shops under the guidance of experienced instructors. Practice leads to mastery and the only way to practice is to use the real tools and equipment that you will find in the field.
Job Placement Assistance and Career Services
Once you complete your training, you want to head into the industry right away. Consider a school that offers job placement assistance and a career services office. The staff can help you prepare for a job interview by workshopping your resume, showing you how to dress, and conducting mock interviews.
Are you ready for a career in the skilled trades? Contact Lincoln Tech today. We offer several programs in the skilled trades, including Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology, and Welding and Fabrication Technology that can prepare you for entry-level work in construction. Our instructors have years of experience and are dedicated to your success. We also have labs and education and career services departments that are eager to help you start the next chapter of your career. Fill out the form to learn more.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Construction Laborers and Helpers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/construction-laborers-and-helpers.htm (visited March 22, 2024).
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Electricians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm (visited March 22, 2024).
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm (visited March 22, 2024).
4 From the Whitehouse website at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/blog/2023/11/15/job-gains-in-construction-after-two-years-of-the-bipartisan-infrastructure-law/ published on Nov 15, 2023 and retrieved on April 12, 2024.
5 Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 for Electricians – last updated on April 3, 2024, and retrieved on April 12, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes472111.htm#:~:text=highest%20employment%20level
6 Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers – last updated on April 3, 2024, and retrieved on April 12, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes499021.htm#:~:text=highest%20employment%20level