Are you interested in pursuing a career as a contractor in the construction industry? The good news is that there isn’t just one path to get you where you want to go. Before jumping into the construction world, learn what the job duties are and the highest levels of education needed to be successful in your career.
What is a Construction Contractor?
Construction contractors don’t just do the physical labour required from their field. In fact, many just oversee the management side of construction projects. They deal with the logistics of the job, like the acquisition of equipment, tools, and labour, and ensures that everything is done properly from start to finish. Many construction contractors also handle the business aspects of the job, ensuring that clients get exactly what they want and need.
The day-to-day of this career includes planning, implementing, and supervising work done in the residential, industrial, and commercial sectors. Besides hiring workers and managing the budget, you’ll also be in charge of ensuring the building adheres to all safety codes. You’ll be responsible for handling complaints and work to resolve disputes and problems among construction personnel. You can take your career a step further by specialising in a particular part of the construction process, such as wiring, heating, or plumbing. The following are the five ways you can start your career as a construction contractor.
Get Your High School Diploma
The first step to start your way on your career path is obtaining your high school diploma or its equivalent. Classes in high school that will help you prepare for your job include drafting, algebra, and geometry. You may choose to pursue immediate employment in the industry after you graduate, and that’s completely okay. It will be a long road to get the title of construction contractor, but you can make yourself more marketable to employers with a 4-year degree.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
If you want to earn a bachelor’s degree before entering in the field then consider majoring in civil engineering, construction science, or another field that will prepare you for the management side of the industry. As a student, taking courses in these majors will cover topics in business management, engineering principles, surveying, project planning, communication, and architecture. After you’ve obtained your degree, you’ll find it easier to find an internship or entry-level position to further develop your contractor skills.
Gain Work Experience in the Construction Industry
The majority of employers consider job applicants with both education and work experience in the field over someone with just one. Getting an internship is a great way to boost your resume as well as give you an idea of whether you want to specialise. Going to college can offer you these opportunities thanks to resources like a career centre. These internship opportunities also can serve as a way to acquire contacts in your soon-to-be career.
Meet Certification Requirements
While certification isn’t necessary, it might be smart to get relevant certifications. More and more employers are looking for certifications from potential employees. It shows that they have relevant knowledge and the ability to handle the job. Go take the NASCLA accredited examination or another professional test to show that you have the credentials to do the job. Each of these methods can get you into the industry. However, the more you do, the better chances you’ll have.
Know What to Expect
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for the construction industry is expected to expand in the coming years, and that isn’t specific to the U.S. If you’re looking to pursue a career as a contractor in the construction field, be ready to be flexible in hours as project delays and emergencies do arise. For the best chance of success, learn all you can about the job.