Is Building Construction Right for You?
You’ve always liked being active and working with your hands. You enjoy piecing materials together to create a finished product. You don’t want to work a desk job, but you wonder, “What do construction workers do?” We have the answers to common questions about working in building construction. Keep reading to learn more!
Common Questions About Building Construction
Choosing your career is a serious task, so it’s essential to have all of your questions answered. We’ve put together a list of questions you might have about careers in building construction.
What do construction workers do?
Construction workers can specialize in a number of areas, or they can focus on general construction. Daily tasks can range from setting up scaffolding to pouring concrete or distributing materials. Other common activities include:
- Rough Carpentry
- Finished Carpentry
- Roofing
- Masonry
- Plumbing
- Demolition
What degree do you need?
There are no formal training requirements to become a construction worker. It’s expected that workers have their high school diploma or their GED. However, there are programs at community colleges and trade schools that focus on providing education to students who want to become construction workers. NATS prides itself on helping students from all educational backgrounds succeed in our building technology program.
How do you become a construction worker?
You can become an entry-level construction worker without any type of certification or diploma. It’s likely that you would begin as an assistant or apprentice to an experienced worker and learn the trade as you go. If you want to be more prepared and ready for more demanding tasks as soon as you start your job, it’s a good idea to attend a construction training program.
What do you need to know?
To be a construction worker, you should be comfortable with basic math and language skills. Being able to interpret blueprints, building specifications, and plans is also important, depending on your job. Strength, dexterity, and endurance are also required as construction is a physically demanding field.
Construction tends to be a good fit if you are creative, persistent, have strong attention to detail, and work well with others. Precision is required in construction, so you must be willing and able to focus on completing tasks exactly as required. Construction workers need to be in teams to complete large projects, making the ability to collaborate with others essential.
What tools are used?
The tools construction workers use depends on the area in which they specialize. Building constructors tend to use saws, nails, screws, levels, drills, grinders, and more. Surveying equipment, jackhammers, and earth tampers are also common tools.
What are the types of jobs available?
Thanks to the variety of construction specialties and the manpower required for construction projects, there are dozens of types of construction jobs. Workers can often be categorized into three groups: inexperienced laborers, experienced laborers, and managers. Over time, a worker can move up the ranks, expanding their career options.
The different fields of construction also offer a range of positions. Jobs such as roofing specialists, masons, carpenters, and electricians are available to those interested in narrowing their focus. With so many options, you’ll be sure to find the right fit for you.
How much do they make a year?
The demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 4% between 2021 and 2031. This is faster than average and will likely lead to higher wages. To learn more about your earning potential as a building construction worker, click here.
Where are job sites?
Construction workers have the option to work in a limited geographic area, or they can take advantage of the many traveling construction jobs available. This flexibility ensures that you can find work where you live or, if you’re ready for an adventure, you can take your work on the road. Construction is not a geographically limited industry, so you are likely to find a job no matter where you decide to live.
Why should I consider NATS?
NATS has decades of experience in training Maryland students in the Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Silver Spring, and Dundalk areas for jobs in their desired trades. You’ll focus only on your interests and won’t have to take any classes in English or humanities as many community colleges require.
Courses for the building construction program will include plumbing, building layouts, drywall and finishing, and more. You’ll get the skills you need for the career you want. Our instructors emphasize hands-on training and have years of experience in the construction industry.
We also offer financial assistance and job placement services to help you get the right start!
Have More Questions? Contact Us!
What do construction workers do? There’s no simple answer. This field has dozens of opportunities for a variety of interests. It’s flexible and offers an exciting career path for all!