| If construction is the field you wish to enter into, | | | | the specialty trade contractors. The bottom level |
| what type of advancement is available? | | | | of specialty trade contractors is being an |
| Construction is a major part of out society today. | | | | apprentice. The next level is becoming a skilled |
| New structures are erected all the time; bridges, | | | | trade journeyman. Then the higher level is |
| housing units, factories, educational facilities and | | | | supervisor. |
| office buildings. Construction workers are involved | | | | The third major area of construction is civil |
| in structure improvements, innovations, | | | | engineering and heavy construction contractors. |
| maintenance and repairs, as well as additions to | | | | These perform a large range of jobs; highways, |
| existing structures and renovations to old | | | | demolition sites, shaft and tunnel excavation and |
| structures. This list is endless, as is the | | | | heavy construction sites. Crew members work |
| advancement in a career of construction. | | | | with other laborers to identify, distribute supplies |
| There are three major areas of the construction | | | | and materials, as well as control traffic within the |
| industry...general contractors, specialty trade | | | | work zone. |
| contractors, and civil engineering and heavy | | | | To achieve advancement in a construction career, |
| construction contractors. | | | | many labors specialize in specific areas; such as, |
| General or building contractors construct industrial, | | | | construction equipment operators, by |
| commercial and residential buildings. These | | | | apprenticeship programs or on the job skills |
| construction workers start from the blueprint | | | | training. Equipment operators use machinery to |
| given to them from the designer and end with a | | | | transport heavy materials, earth and other |
| fully functional and solid building or structure. They | | | | construction materials on site. Some equipment |
| not only work closely with the designer of a | | | | operated is used for clearing the land for buildings, |
| specific building or structure, they also work | | | | roads and shopping malls. other equipment would |
| closely with the specialty trade contractors. | | | | apply concrete and asphalt to highways and roads. |
| Occasionally, labors of the general or building | | | | There are trench diggers, cement trucks, tractor |
| contractors will advance to the specialty trade | | | | and trailer operators. |
| contractors. Construction workers will also | | | | Career advancement for construction workers will |
| specialize in specific or types of construction, such | | | | offer formal training programs. One such program |
| as underground construction, trucking hazardous | | | | is the operating engineer apprenticeship program; |
| materials or equipment to designated sights. | | | | another trains in blueprint reading for the |
| Specialty trade contractors are responsible for | | | | structure, electrical and plumbing. It is expected |
| electrical work, painting, carpentry and plumbing | | | | the job outlook in the advancement of a career in |
| related construction. Some specialty trade | | | | construction will remain positive for the next |
| contractors work specifically on the foundation or | | | | seven years. |
| basement structures. There are different levels in | | | | |