Architecture & Construction:
Skills & Job Outlook for this Career Cluster
On The Job:
- Construction includes three main areas: general building (construct houses, offices and other buildings); heavy construction (build roads, highways and bridges); and special trade (skilled trades like carpentry, painting and plumbing).
- Landscape and construction workers often do their jobs in all types of weather, year-round. In Minnesota, there are fewer construction jobs in the winter and many workers find other employment. Landscapers and groundskeepers might be hired to remove snow.
- Many construction workers learn their trade through an apprenticeship program. Some go through two-year technical school programs as well.
- Following safety procedures on a construction site is essential to reduce risk of injury. Precautions include wearing gloves, hardhats or devices to protect your sight or hearing.
- Many positions in this industry are protected by unions.
What Skills Do You Need?
- Accuracy is needed to create blueprints or build structures according to plans.
- Customer-service skills are used by independent contractors to relate to clients.
- Dependability to be on time and work well with others.
- Manual dexterity is necessary to fit pieces of various sizes together and use a variety of tools.
- Mathematics is used everyday to quickly compute simple calculations and measurements.
- Physical stamina to bend, lift and carry materials.
- Problem-solving skills are needed to finish the project even when a dilemma occurs.
Job Outlook: GOOD
Construction is one of the nation's largest industries but its growth is closely tied to the strength of the economy. New and remodeled home construction and office and retail developments foster employment for all types of construction workers, architects and landscapers.
Construction in Minnesota is usually seasonal, but remodeling and home improvement jobs provide work during the winter months.
Many construction workers are self-employed, particularly carpenters, painters, plumbers and electricians. Independent contractors benefit from having business skills for cost estimating, design, marketing and safety- or technical-report writing.
Once hired for a project, it's common to put in more than 40 hours per week to make sure the job is done on time.
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