Negosentro.com | We humans were able to come on top of all other animals simply because we were more successful in acquiring food, enabling our reproduction and survival. We weren’t better at getting food by having bigger claws or by running faster. We were better because we used our brains. We used them to tinker around, modify and invent tools and weapons, always sawing, hammering and coarsely shaping new things. In more than one way, construction is in our bloodline.
The construction sector is present in every corner of the world. Even more, construction jobs are on the rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in July of 2018, there were 263,000 job openings in the construction industry and 7.2 million construction jobs – marking the highest employment level for the construction industry in a decade. The institution also estimates that from 2018 to 2026, there will be faster-than-average employment growth in the industry.
If you’re looking to enter this profitable sector, you may be surprised by how many different specialties and career paths exist within it. To ease the process, we give you our selection of those that are the most interesting and highest-paying of them all.
Plumber
Plumbers devise blueprints in order to plan for the position of all the fixtures and pipes within a structure. You will also connect and install the fixtures and piping, either working by yourself or with a team of pipefitters and apprentices. Aside from facilitating water supply from big fixtures and pipes, such as showers, bathtubs, toilets, and sinks, plumbing professionals make sure that water reaches appliances like boilers and dishwashers.
The best of the best from this occupation are often powerful problem-solvers who know how to deal with clients, can keep up with the mental and physical demands, and lead their own companies full of apprentices. Remember, there is a plumber and the plumber. The first works for an average time with average skills for the average paycheck. The latter masters the job and client retention, ultimately running his own business and teaching others about the occupation’s ins and outs.
Solar photovoltaic installer
Solar photovoltaic installers are responsible for assembling, maintaining and adding on solar panels to commercial properties and living residences. These panels, as you can judge by their name, convert light from the sun into energy, on the rooftops of houses and other buildings.
You will need to find some equipment, including a battery for supplying power to panels when there isn’t any sun, power inverter, charge controller, scaffolding, etc. Most of the equipment can be bought online for cheap, but do remember to purchase from local stores like BaysideScaffolding from Melbourne, Australia.
Local stores try to build a relationship with their client, and because of this often offer discounts or other types of customer appreciation programs. Since this is a relatively new career path, there isn’t a defined entry point or required training for solar installation.
Electrician
Many electricians act as contractors who work either in commercial, industrial or residential construction sub-sector. More often than not, they work in cramped spaces and manage dangerous electricity, making this one of the skill-needing construction jobs.
You will have to know the ins and outs of installing, designing and inspecting wiring and lighting systems found in streetlights, intercoms, and in other electrical devices. Of course, all while precisely following building’s technical diagrams or blueprints. There will be at least four years of apprenticeship, followed by the licensing and certification from an electrical licensing board according to the requests of the state’s law.
Most professional electricians specialize in either the installation, design, maintenance, and repair of the equipment, motors, and electrical systems of companies and factories or in the maintenance and repair of electrical systems of family residences. The needed equipment is almost the same as for the solar panel installer.
Concrete finisher and mason
If you’ve walked past a construction site, at one point you probably saw a huge cement truck pouring cement onto a property or street. This truck and the workload encompassing it belongs to masons and concrete finishers. They work by smoothing out and leveling the concrete after it’s poured. This involves filling depressions and cutting high spots in the concrete, finishing the corners of the concrete by hands alone, and washing away any excess concrete.
Masonry is one of the oldest careers in the construction industry. It is a sophisticated craft requiring good hand-to-eye coordination and other physical feats, with thousands and thousands of years of history supporting the profession. You will also use concrete, stones, and bricks to build walkways, walls, fences, and other structures. Some other traits needed for this trade include:
- fine color vision
- physical strength and endurance
- hand-accuracy
- coordination
- attention to detail
According to the BLS, masonry is demanded more than any time in history, with 12% job growth expected between 2016 and 2026, and an average salary of $43,000 per year.
Wind Turbine Technician
Another green job on this list. Wind turbine technicians are expected to also be of the quickest growing careers in the construction sector, and of all possible careers given the growth of renewable energy usage. This career path is predicted to grow 95% between 2016 and 2026, according to the BLS, making it one of the best jobs in any industry, not just construction.
The median salary is $54,000 per year, making the career look appealing to young professionals looking for more profits. Wind turbine technicians are colloquially called “windtechs”. Their job is generally done outside, in confined spaces and at quite big heights. So, besides the troubleshooting and mechanical skills, as well as administrative abilities, you’ll have to be physically prepared and trained in mountain-climbing and working in high-height jobs.
After receiving a GED or high school diploma, many “windtechs” study in technical schools for certificates in wind energy technology. Some opt to earn an associate’s degree.
Ironworker
Although this career path is full of dangers and risks, it is also brimming with advantages that make it worthwhile. As one, you will install structural and reinforcing steel and iron to form and support properties and other infrastructures such as bridges and roads. A calm nature is needed, as well as physical strength and endurance, and above all, tolerance of heights.
If you think you have the skillset, you will be surprised at how much ironworking is rewarding. There is significant job security and a median salary of $52,000. The vast majority of professionals in this career had an apprenticeship, but some did learn on-the-job.
As we can see, there is a large selection of jobs within the construction sector. If you’re really interested in positions that require apprenticeships or training, begin searching for a program near you. If you aren’t interested in positions with obligational formal training, begin your job position search now. In whatever you’re skilled with, there is a place for you in the construction niche.
