Six Advantages Of A Career In Construction
The world is a construction zone. Our homes, schools, workplaces, roadways, hospitals, and even amusement parks are all constructed with it. It’s a must-have for everyone’s survival. It’s still one of the most poorly understood sectors of the economy.
The construction industry has lost a lot of young and old workers as the emphasis on four-year degrees has grown. As a result, there is now a severe skills gap in the United States.
Nonetheless, the business is in an intriguing situation that advantages newcomers as a result of the increased demand for craftspeople. When there is a high demand for a product or service, the associated salaries, job openings, and room for advancement all rise accordingly.
In that case, you might be wondering what advantages a job in construction can provide. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora! However, consider these six reasons why a job in construction may be right for you.
1. Be Ahead Of The Game
Apprenticeships are the standard method of education and training in the construction industry. This means that if you want to learn a trade as quickly as possible, you can start an apprenticeship and get to work right away.
This “earn while you learn” strategy allows you to start making money right away while still getting an education in the fundamentals of your chosen profession.
Associate degrees, professional credentials, and certificates may be necessary for some occupations. On the other hand, these academic necessities are often of short duration and may be fulfilled throughout the course of an apprenticeship. So, if you’re set on entering the workforce quickly, a craft job is still the way to go.
Since the training for a craft, or career doesn’t take long and the payoff for the effort is immediate, those who choose this path can avoid taking on substantial debt to enter the workforce. There is about $1.5 trillion in student debt in the US. With the rising cost of higher education, it makes financial sense to enter the construction industry.
2. Unlimited Potential For Success
There is a glut of college grads on the market, despite the fact that seven out of ten open positions in the United States do not require a degree of any kind. In the long run, you’ll be better off financially if you get into the craft industry. Technical degrees, apprenticeships, and trade training certificates all make their holders very marketable in the employment market.
By 2023, there will be a need for 1 million craft professionals due to a skills gap and an expected influx of retirees. With such a massive need to fill, the market is ripe for budding artisans.
Curious about the employment outlook in your state? Look at BYF’s Craft Demand Map to see the demand for skilled crafts across the country and in each state.
3. Different Types Of Jobs
The construction industry encompasses a wide variety of sub-sectors. There is a seemingly unlimited variety of creative professions available today, so it should be easy to choose one that suits you.
There is a job in the arts for everyone, whether they are artistic, numerate, or excellent problem solvers.
Not only do people in various fields have divergent interests, but they also need to complete varying degrees of schooling to succeed in their chosen fields. Do you plan to enroll in a bachelor’s, associate’s, or master’s degree program at a university or vocational school? Check out our trade cards to learn more about the academic prerequisites for various fields of study.
4. Speedy Transportation And Disposable Income
In light of the widespread need for skilled artisans, a career in this field can take you anywhere in the country. There are a plethora of options for construction workers who are always on the go, whether they are self-employed or employed by a national or international firm. Unlike any other profession, a job in construction allows you to see the country while still bringing in a steady paycheck.
All around us, construction can be heard. As a matter of fact, it occurs in each and every nation, state, and practically city around the world. A career in the arts is ideal if you like to see the world. Your building abilities will take you all over the country and even the world, providing you with the freedom to live and work wherever you like.
Plus, the ‘office’ of a construction worker is never the same and often takes them to interesting locations. The construction process itself provides a welcome change of scenery, whether you’re putting up a house, a baseball field, or a theme park.
5. Space To Expand In Career
The retirement of 29% of the construction workforce is predicted for the year 2026. Because 41% of the existing labor force is projected to retire by 2031, this figure is only anticipated to worsen. It’s estimated that just over a decade from now, about half of the current labor force will need to be replaced.
It’s a scary figure, but it bodes well for newcomers to the field.
There will be a lot of potential for advancement in the skilled trades as boomers leave vacant opportunities, especially in higher-up roles like a journeyman, superintendent, and project manager.
There is no ceiling on how far a skilled individual in a certain field can rise if they are given the chance to advance in their chosen field. A skilled worker may rise through the ranks to become a company executive, CEO, or even a business owner with time, training, and dedication. If you want to advance in your construction job, the only thing stopping you is your own ambition.
6. Wages Are Really High
This increased willingness to pay is a direct result of the current shortage of skilled workers in the marketplace. This means that construction workers are currently enjoying the highest wages in the industry’s history.
Craftspeople are able to start generating a comfortable living wage as an apprentice and then build on that income as they progress through their careers.
These advantages more than justify looking into a career in construction. Yet when viewed in aggregate, it’s difficult to imagine they can all be the result of a single career path.
