1. Careers in Construction
Paul - This last summer, I traveled around to different construction companies to see what it would take to start a career in construction. There are options for students in construction that do not require a college degree. In fact, most construction is done by journeyman who have gone through an apprentice program. A construction site has several levels of employees, at the top is the superintendent. Most superintendents I talked to this last summer do not have a college degree.

2. Apprenticeships On-the-job training is provided while earning money.
Four year apprenticeships:
Laborers
Carpenters
Sheet Metal Workers
Electricians and Plumbers
HVAC
After year four, you are a journeyman and can go to work on your own.
Paul - There are many options for apprenticeships in the construction world. Each one requires 4 years of training, they pay you while you work and require to you come take a few classes every year. This is a great option because you start earning an income right away. When I visited the construction sites this last summer, I learned that there is more to building than just a carpenter. Laborers are needed to help every aspect of the business. They help clean up the space, get tools, assist with drywall, sheetmetal, etc. They are the most generalized of the apprenticeships. Carpenters are the ones who run the show, they read the plans and help make decisions on where things go. They also help build. Sheet Metal workers are very important. They create the ducting, weld metal together, design stairs and posts, a lot of things are made from metal and these are the specialist that deal with it. Electrictions and Plumbers are highly specialized and have their own apprenticeship. Even Heating and Air conditioning have apprenticeships that help them understand what is going on in the systems. All these positions will teach you on the job while you make money. They will show you what to do and how to create it.

3. Desirable Skills Dependability Willingness to learn Good work ethic
Be on time
Be prepared
Willingness to learn
Good work ethic
Positive attitude
Paul - Time and time again, I asked different people in the construction zones what they would want to see from a new employee. Dependability came up over and over again. Any person who shows up on time (early is best) and comes prepared to work (correct attire) is leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else. Too often, they see people show up late or not at all. This only shows the employer that the job is not important to the employee. The second most desired skill is willingness to learn. Every journeyman on the job has something to teach you if you are willing. You have to go into the job with the attitute that you don’t know anything and soak it up like a spounge. The third thing that employers wanted was a full days work for a full days pay. Don’t expect to come in and stand around and get a paycheck. They want you to be doing something. Lastly, a positive attitude. Everyone before you went through the same thing, they know it can be tough. It will take a positive attitute to get through it and be wiling to learn.

4. What Students REALLY Care About
Apprenticeships start at around $18 per hour for your first year.
You get a raise each year and by journeyman earn about $40 per hour.
Paul - one of the remarkable things about these programs is that you will start out around $18 an hour. That is without any college degree. Some people are lucky to get $18 per hour with a college degree. After 4 years of training, you will be making roughly $40 per hour.

5. College Programs
Construction Engineering Management (CEM) programs provide students training and opportunities in construction at a management level.
These opportunities range from lab work to field surveying to crew management on site.
Job placement rates at OSU were 87% for civil engineers and 100% for construction management upon graduation.
Paul - If you would like to go into the office, not work in the field, there are options for you too. Most of the office type positions require a degree. Many Project Managers had a CEM degree. When we went to Oregon State University, they mentioned that 100% of their construction management graduates had a job the day they graduated. The demand for people in the construction fields is high. Portland has more tower cranes up than New York City or Los Angeles. When we were talking to managers, they stressed that their is too much work for the amount of people. Jobs were being delayed because there are not enough skilled labor to do them. An example I heard was that the labors union could put 10,000 people to work tomorrow. This is a huge opertunity for those that want to work hard and make a decent living.