Doing research about career paths you can take? If you enjoy working with your hands and cooperating with others to get the job done, construction is a great industry to look into. Projections estimate that the construction industry is slated to keep up with average job growth over the next several years. However, how to start a career in construction is not a simple question to answer. Fortunately, we’re here to dispel some mysteries and hopefully guide you in the right direction.

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Entry-Level, Hands-On Experience

The easiest way to get into the construction industry is by starting at the very bottom, with entry-level work. While entry-level construction jobs don’t pay the best, they’ll get you working and help build your experience in the industry.

Common entry-level construction jobs you might find are:

1. General Laborer
2. General Contractor Laborer
3. Landscape Laborer
4. Painting Laborer
5. Commercial Construction Laborer
6. Flooring and Tile Laborer
7. Masonry Worker
8. Roofing Laborer

In all of these positions, you’d be doing lots of physical work, both indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather. Hauling, lifting, holding, and carrying heavy materials are some of the basic activities involved. In some of these positions, you might get to use small hand tools, but power tools are generally off limits.

The exciting thing is, if you show initiative, ask questions, and be open to learning, you’ll be able to move up to more skilled positions that have more responsibility, like Equipment Operator, Carpenter’s Assistant, and Foreman.

Trade School, Apprenticeships and Certifications

If time and money is less of a concern for you, going through a trade school, getting apprenticeships, and earning certifications are other great ways to break into construction. With this path, you’ll be on your way to getting into better-paying trade positions like:

1. Plumber
2. HVAC Technician
3. Carpenter
4. Commercial or Residential Electrician

Going this route allows you to learn hands-on skills with the most cutting-edge tools and techniques available.

As for certifications, each trade job requires certain levels of certification depending on what kind of work you want to do. For example, HVAC Technicians have many different kinds of certifications they can work towards, such as EPA (I, II, III, and Universal) and NATE. OSHA is also a good place to learn all about safety regulations in construction jobs.

Whatever your long-term career goals might be, either of these two options are how to start a career in construction. Whichever direction you want to take, Tempstar Staffing can help!