Most people know a little bit about the construction industry-the types of jobs they do, some of the heavy equipment they use, and some of the tools that they utilize on a daily basis. However, there are many facts about the industry that people might be surprised they didn’t know. For example, there is a lot more that goes into construction than just building with bricks, there have to be step-by-step plans taken into consideration, so if there are full constructions of bathrooms/public restrooms, professionals have to decide which would be better, a B-58616 grab bar or go without. If you are not sure what that means then read on. Whether you are curious about the industry or are considering a career in it yourself, many of these facts are worth knowing. Here, you can read some important things to know about construction.
Construction Jobs Offer Career Growth
When you’re looking into the construction field, you may be concerned that the industry won’t offer enough career growth. In the current economic climate, up to 87 percent of millennials value careers that will provide them opportunities for upward mobility. The construction industry allows any worker the ability to move up. Like any craft profession, construction is an industry where workers hone and better their craft and skills, which is the first step to moving up in any career.
There Are Many Opportunities for Women
The construction industry is full of many opportunities for women. Many of the myths about it being a job only suitable for the male population have proven untrue. Many women have chosen to be construction workers. The key to succeeding in the construction industry is sharpening your skills, as mentioned above. Whoever can turn out the best work is the one who will achieve the best position and pay, no matter who they are, which reduces the risks of discrimination for women in the field. It also makes the pay gap much narrower than the national average.
Construction Requires Skill
One of the most important things to know about construction is the level of skill that a successful worker will gain. Long gone are the claims that only unskilled people work in construction. Becoming a construction craft professional requires workers to go through extensive training, especially for sensitive matters like mini-piling and the like. Most new workers will have to complete anywhere from 8 to 12 hours of training as part of an apprenticeship program. These programs are incredibly beneficial, as they teach you about the industry while you are working for a company and earning a wage. The opportunity to gain experience to become a seasoned craft professional while earning a living wage is a huge benefit of an apprenticeship program. They have to be skilled in using the regular equipment that is on construction sites so they can do their job properly and efficiently, this means looking at, for example, how a transit level works, what it can do for a certain project, and how they calculate the results, all of these things are important and they apply to a myriad of equipment that has more than one use.
Construction Work Requires Safety
Safety on the job is vital when it comes to working in construction. While there are countless hazards on any job site, the industry has seen technology and equipment developments that have not only improved efficiency but also improved safety. Special gear, including helmets, harnesses, fall protection systems, and rigging, have reduced the number of accidents and injuries in the industry significantly. Apprenticeship programs are also thorough with teaching workers about details like proper handling and disposal of different construction waste materials. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has continued to enforce many safety standards and training regulations that have reduced workplace injuries by 66 percent since 1971.