How to Become a Construction Worker?
Some people may think that construction workers fall into the category of “unskilled workers”, that it is at the bottom of the list of the most desirable jobs.
Still, many consider a career in construction as a very honorable job, and a lot of people do make a comfortable living out of it. Being a construction worker may not be as luxurious as being a lawyer or a doctor, but it does pay the bills.
So, if you are looking to become a construction worker, here are some of the things that you have to understand about this laborious but verry rewarding occupation.
What Does a Construction Worker Do?
A construction worker is an encompassing title, especially since there are lots of tasks to be done in the building of structures such as houses, apartments, bridges, and the like.
Generally, construction workers are assigned tasks depending on what are needed to be done. This can include but are not limited to:
- Carrying and transporting tools and equipment
- Clearing debris
- Assembling and disassembling scaffolds
- Digging and filling holes
- Welding metal
- Working with cement, wood, or other materials
- Using construction tools and heavy machinery
- Building permanent and temporary structures
- Installing fixtures like lights, wiring, pipes, insulation, etc.
Tasks assigned to you will depend on the foreman as well as your skills. In some cases, you may be trained on the spot. In other cases, you may also be hired for a specific skill that you may have.
However, it is still best to be a jack of all trades in order to increase your chances of being more in demand in the field.
Education Requirements
When it comes to education, requirements for construction workers are a bit lax. However, most companies prefer their workers to at least be high school graduates.
In some cases, having a license or certification is also highly preferred, especially for specialized jobs such as handling heavy machinery or other sensitive work. Requirements for licenses may differ from state to state, though.
Having the proper experience and skill to read plans and blueprints is also a highly desirable trait. This attribute can make you very valuable and can even help you propel your career in construction forward.
While education is a not a hard requirement when it comes to construction, continuous learning can be done either from courses or from experience and mentorship to give yourself more value.
This can give you an edge over your peers, giving you the opportunity to do more and even get promoted into supervisory or other leadership roles.
Physical Requirements
As construction requires a lot of physical and manual labor, it is obvious at you would need to be physically fit in order to become a construction worker.
Although there are those with handicaps, physical disabilities, or health conditions that work in construction, these are extremely rare and can be dangerous in the field.
For construction work, you must have the necessary strength and stamina to work eight hours or more under physically demanding conditions.
In many cases, you would have to travel long distances on foot, carry heavy loads, bend over, climb ladders, and even work extended hours under extreme heat or cold.
You should also be free of any mobility, respiratory, or heart-related issues. Being a construction worker requires that you are in peak physical condition so you should make sure that your fitness is of utmost priority if you intend to work as a construction worker.
Mental Requirements
Aside from the physical demands, there are mental requirements as well when it comes to working as a construction worker.
Working in a construction site can often be monotonous, so you must find a way to make the job more interesting and engaging. This is so that you would not get bored of the job especially if you are doing the same job day in and day out.
A lot of focus is also required when working in construction. Attention to detail is also necessary. These two things would help prevent accidents as well as any errors or deviations to the plan.
Another attribute that is important for construction workers is being able to quickly think on their feet. This is especially essential should there be any accidents or incidents that may cause damage to property or worse.
Construction workers, just like any other employee, would also need to be proactive, committed, and willing to learn to improve on your craft. Being a team player is also very much desired.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several requirements that need to be met in order to become a construction worker. They are not simply “unskilled workers” that are a dime a dozen like what some people may think.
Construction workers need to have the educational, physical, and mental traits necessary to survive and succeed in the industry.
If you believe that you have this set of skills, then you will definitely be capable of working in construction and possibly even thrive in it.
