Careers in Construction Make them your first choice Introduce yourself. Tell your audience your name, who you work for, what you do, and that you are there to talk to them about why they should consider a career in construction.

Why a career in construction?

We can give you plenty of reasons! Availability of jobs Good wages Generous benefits Room to grow in your career Help build Montana! Did you know that 73 percent of contractors across the nation are having a hard time finding skilled workers? Guess what that means? THEY WANT YOU! (click mouse) What’s more, those jobs come with good wages – the average salary for construction workers in Montana is almost $45,000 a year. That beats the $20,000 you’d make at other entry level jobs. (click mouse) Plus, these jobs come with benefits like health care and retirement. That may not mean much to you now, but when you get to be my age, that’s a big deal! (click mouse) You can grow in your career. Many construction workers begin as laborers, learn the business, and become project managers or even owners of their own companies! (click mouse) You can help build Montana. There’s nothing cooler than looking at a road or bridge or building that you helped construct with your own hands, and saying “I did that!” (next slide)

How do I get started?

Start preparing for your career in construction today! Get involved in career and technical education classes and clubs. Narrow down your career interests using the Montana Career Information System website: www.mtcis.intocareers.org Talk to your teachers or counselors about job shadowing. Apply for after-school or summer jobs with construction companies. Visit the MCA website at www.mtagc.org and click on Let’s Build MT. By getting involved in career and technical education classes and clubs, you are putting yourself in a perfect position to learn and experience as much as possible about your future career while you’re still in school. (click mouse) Construction is a big career field. Do you want to run a crane or be an engineer or be an electrician? MCIS is a free resource provided by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry that allows students to explore careers, learn about what training they will need, and more. (click mouse) Job shadowing allows you to watch and talk to someone who does the job you are considering. Sometimes, an hour on a job site is all a student needs to find out a certain job isn’t for them. (click mouse) Getting an after-school or summer job with a construction company is another good way to learn about construction and get some helpful experience for when you are ready to enter the job force. However, don’t expect to drive equipment, etc. You will likely be a laborer. (click mouse) The Montana Contractors’ Association website has plenty of useful information about getting started in your construction career. (click mouse)

What kind of training do I need?

Construction training can take on many forms Two-year schools www.mus.edu Apprenticeships www.apprenticeship.mt.gov On-the-job training Military Unions Two-year schools offer training in diesel technology, automotive technology, carpentry, welding technology, and so much more. Plus, it is a lot less expensive to attend a two-year school than a four-year school! (click mouse) Apprenticeships are a great way to learn a trade and make money while you’re doing it. Many employers provide financial assistance and more to their apprentices. Check out the Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program. Also, keep in mind the average journeyman wage for a sheet metal worker is more than $26/hour! (click mouse) Plenty of construction companies like to train their employees on the job. They take individuals right out of high school and train them to be equipment operators. Again, DON’T EXPECT TO START AT THE TOP! You’ll need to work your way up. (click mouse) The military is another, excellent source of training for construction jobs like carpentry, plumbing, surveying, masonry and others. (Click mouse) Unions are another common source of technical training for jobs like electrician, plumber, heavy equipment operator, and so on. (Click mouse)

What traits do construction companies look for in their employees?

Our ideal candidates are: Hard-working Ready to learn Dedicated Team players Drug free Willing to travel (Keep clicking the mouse until all of the bullets are on the screen.) While most of these qualities are pretty self-explanatory, its important for anyone who wants to work in the construction industry to particularly aware of a couple of these points. Safety is extremely important in construction, and as a result, most companies drug test and have a zero tolerance policy. In addition, construction workers need to be willing to travel. We need to go where the work is, and its important our employees embrace that lifestyle.

Is construction the career for you?

This slide is a 2 minute-long video about construction as a career This slide is a 2 minute-long video about construction as a career. Double click on it and the video will play. You might need to be patient depending on how long it takes to load.

Questions?