A job in construction can make a great stable career with competitive pay and the ability to progress up the ladder. Before getting started, though, some skills would come in handy so that you thrive at the job. Here are five of them to help you get started with a job in construction.
1: Physical Fitness
Extensive physical labor is part of working in construction. To be able to perform the tasks promptly and without injury, you must be in good physical shape. Stamina is also essential — being able to lift a heavy weight will come in handy, but the ability to carry on through lots of physical labor is even more important. Make sure you can lift, carry, and move around for long periods.
2: Math and Reading Skills
Construction isn’t just about physical work; knowledge is also required. Working with blueprints and documents will be a large part of working in construction; therefore, a decent understanding of math and good reading skills are essential. If you feel a little rusty, consider taking a class to get your brain back in shape. If you want to take it a step further, consider doing some gd&t training to increase your geometric and designing skills. It will come in handy and make you far more employable!
3: Ability to Work as a Team
Working in construction is all about working as a team; it is not a job you can do alone. This means you need great communication skills and the ability to listen and follow instructions. You’ll most likely be working with the same co-workers often, so having great teamwork is essential. Don’t just focus on yourself; keep everyone else in mind and what they will be doing, too.
4: Leadership
Down the line, you might end up having to lead a team of co-workers on a specific job. Having leadership skills will come in handy here so make sure you can speak succinctly to a group of people and also learn how to manage without being overbearing. The better at leading you are, the quicker you will climb up the ladder.
5: Familiarity with Tools and Equipment
Of course, familiarity with the tools and equipment on-site will come with experience, but having prior knowledge is a good idea before starting a construction job. Take a short course, or even just research how they work online, so you can walk into the job with some basic knowledge on what you’ll be working with.
6: Hand-Eye Co-ordination
As you will be working with your hands each day, manual dexterity is essential. Make sure you can perform tasks with both hands at once, as many of the jobs will require assembly. Being able to do this quickly is another advantage when working in construction.
A career in construction can be fulfilling and long lasting. If you already have these skills, or they just need a little bit of polishing, then it might just be a career where you will flourish.
