[The four pictures were selected to connect things that students enjoy to a career in the construction industry.]

Transcription

1 There s a misconception among a lot of younger people that construction jobs are hard and dirty, and that they don t offer a lot in terms of career advancement. But that is not the case, says Judy (CEO at Workforce Associates Inc. in Indianapolis, which helps states develop programs to attract workers to construction.) There are a wide range of opportunities available in the construction industry, both for high school graduates who want to go directly into the workforce and learn a trade, and those who want to go on to college. The industry has grown and changed tremendously over time. Today, construction is not just about bricks and mortar and hammers and nails. Contractors use high tech tools and machinery to build highly sophisticated facilities such as hospitals, industrial plants or research laboratories. The construction industry can build big, like the Empire State Building or Hoover Dam. It also can build small, like a house in your neighborhood. But large or small, construction projects make a difference in the lives of people around them. [The four pictures were selected to connect things that students enjoy to a career in the construction industry.] The pictures on this slide include: Top left: Legos Many kids develop a passion for building with Legos early in life. Construction work is a bit like building with Legos, but on a much larger scale. 1

2 Top right: Battlefield There are several popular games today that involve operating equipment in simulated environments. Heavy equipment operator training often includes simulators. Bottom left: Rock climbing Carpenters and iron workers often get to work at heights and experience the thrill of building vertically. Bottom right: Minecraft One of the most popular games among youth today, Minecraft is all about constructing objects in virtual worlds. 1

3 To be able to walk through your town, city or state and be able to say, I built that, is a rewarding and even awe inspiring experience. So the next time you take a walk, look around. Without much effort, you will see the results of a lot of hard work, dedication and inspiration from the construction industry. [Pause on the type of project that fits best with your company s projects and talk about some specific examples from your company.] There are six project types on this slide (in the order listed below). Each picture shows up by clicking and overlaps the previous picture(s) partially or completely. 1. Bridge US 16A, North of Keystone, SD 2. Stadium Premier Event Center, Sioux Falls, SD 3. Road Badlands 4. Winery Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City, SD 5. School USD Lee Medicine Building, Vermillion, SD 6. Sustainability This picture is included because the next generation is attentive to issues of sustainability. Buildings are the largest sector of energy consumption in the US, so the architecture, engineering and construction industry have the best chance to make a difference for generations to come. 2

4 Rewarding [In addition to the joy of being able to say, I built that. add other thoughts about how a career in construction has been rewarding to you personally] Secure & Growing The future is bright. Government statistics show that construction is the only goodsproducing industry that can expect to see employment growth in coming years. [Talk about the need for workers in your company and the value placed on hard working individuals.] Well Paying The bottom line is that work in the construction industry is interesting, the pay is good, and the job security is definitely there with a shot at management positions where you aren t necessarily tied to a desk, says Marsha Freeland, head academic counselor at Purdue University s College of Technology. [The following slides talk about pay in six different types of construction work. At some point in the presentation talk about pay at your company.] 3

5 [The following six slides are meant to cover a cross section of careers in the industry. Please touch on each briefly, but feel free to spend extra time on the ones that apply to your type of work.] [Where possible talk about specifics from your career and your company.] What will I do? Everywhere there are examples of the work that carpenters do. Houses, schools, hospitals, and almost every type of building are built by carpenters. Carpenters work with many kinds of hand and power tools. They work with wood to make frames for houses, decks, floors, cabinets, stairs and roofs, and they also work with drywall and other materials for interior and exterior finishing. They also build frames for pouring concrete. Carpenters work with their hands, but they must use their minds to read blueprints and calculate measurements and dimensions. Some are employed by construction firms, some are self employed and others join trade unions. What training do I need and how can I get it? 4

6 Carpenters have to learn how structures are built. From floors to roofs and everything in between, carpenters must know how structures go together, what materials are used and which tools will get the job done. Many apprentice programs offer training in things like math, rigging, blueprint reading, working with reinforcing steel, fabrication and structural steel. Carpenters are trained either through apprentice programs or by learning skills from mentors and co workers. Some enroll in four year apprenticeship programs where training takes place in classrooms and in the field on construction sites. [Mitchell Technical Institute and Lake Area Technical Institute both have programs that train carpenters.] What will I get paid? Wages for carpenters vary according to region, the company for which they work and their level of work experience. Most carpenters are paid by the hour, and the amount of money they earn goes up as they learn new skills and gain experience. An apprentice earns about half of the wage paid for three or four years of experience. Some are promoted to foreman or supervisor, positions that command higher wages. 4

7 What will I do? Whether they drive a machine that digs, pushes dirt, paves roads or lifts heavy objects, heavy equipment operators are in the driver s seat. Operators run machines such as cranes, pavers, bulldozers, excavators and many other kinds of equipment. They work on construction of highways, buildings, dams and airports. Operators manipulate cranes that hoist and deliver materials and backhoes that dig into the earth. They are needed for all of construction s diverse jobs. What training do I need and how can I get it? Construction demands a great variety of equipment. Operators must learn to operate their machines and maintain and service them. Some equipment operators learn to run several different kinds of machines. Equipment operators can enroll in apprentice programs, where they learn through a combination of classroom study and on the job work. Many apprentice programs last from three to five years. Many operators begin as a helper for a heavy equipment company crew. After a few years, they are usually ready to get behind the controls. [Lake Area Technical Institute and Northwest Iowa Community College both have programs that train operators.] 5

8 What will I get paid? Like many jobs in construction, equipment operators usually work for an hourly wage. The amount they are paid per hour is different from place to place, but they make more as they gain experience and get better at working their machines. An apprentice makes less than operators with several years experience. But after three or fours years, or after graduating from an apprentice program, the wages increase. After mastering their operating skills and proving they can lead a job, some are promoted to foreman or supervisor. 5

9 What will I do? Bricklayers construct walls, partitions, fireplaces, chimneys, and other structures from brick, block, and other masonry materials such as structural tile, concrete cinder, glass, gypsum and terra cotta. They spread a layer or "bed" of soft mortar that serves as base and binder using a trowel. The brick or block is then positioned and the excess mortar removed. Bricklayers must understand and work from blueprints, and be able to use measuring, leveling, and aligning tools to check their work. What training do I need and how can I get it? To become a skilled bricklayer training is essential. It can be acquired informally through "learning by working;" through company on the job training programs; by attending trade or vocational/technical schools; through unilaterally (management or labor) sponsored trainee programs; through registered, labor management apprenticeship programs; or a combination of the above. It is generally accepted that the more formalized training programs give more comprehensive skill training. Recommended high school courses include algebra, geometry, general science, mechanical drawing, and English. [At this time there are no tech ed programs for concrete finishing, but the AGC is working to offer courses in this area.] 6

10 What will I get paid? Like many jobs in construction, bricklayers usually work for an hourly wage. The amount they are paid per hour is different from place to place, but they make more as they gain experience. After mastering their skills and proving they can lead a job, some are promoted to foreman or supervisor. Bricklayers make on average $27.80/hr and $57,830 annually. 6

11 What will I do? Concrete finishers level, smooth, and shape surfaces of freshly poured concrete on projects ranging from patios and basements to dams, highways, and foundations and walls of building. Finishers must have a thorough knowledge of concrete characteristics and related materials. Also, they must know the effects of heat, cold, and wind on the curing of concrete. They must be able to tell by sight and touch what is happening to concrete in order to prevent defects. What training do I need and how can I get it? To become a skilled concrete finisher training is essential. It can be acquired informally through "learning by working;" through company on the job training programs; by attending trade or vocational/technical schools; through unilaterally (management or labor) sponsored trainee programs; through registered apprenticeship programs, or a combination of the above. It is generally accepted that the more formalized training programs give more comprehensive skill training. Recommended high school courses include English, math, mechanical drawing, and general science. [At this time there are no tech ed programs for concrete finishing, but the AGC is working to offer courses in this area.] 7

12 What will I get paid? Like many jobs in construction, concrete finishers usually work for an hourly wage. The amount they are paid per hour is different from place to place, but they make more as they gain experience, get better at finishing and learn to finish more complex forms of concrete work (ie. Floors and curb). After mastering their finishing skills and proving they can lead a job, some are promoted to foreman or supervisor. 7

13 What will I do? Electrical workers light up rooms wherever they go. They install the cables and equipment that keep electricity flowing across the country and into homes, schools and businesses. They work with electrical switches and converters and sometimes with complex, highly technical computerized systems. They wire houses as well as high rise buildings and they repair and maintain electrical systems. Some do jobs involving fiber optics, sound and fire alarm systems and others work as linemen, installing and maintaining cables or high tension lines. What training do I need and how can I get it? Electricians must train to use a variety of tools and equipment. Working with electricity can be dangerous so learning to work safely is important. Power tools, measuring devices and testing equipment are some of the tools of the trade. Electrical workers learn how to test electrical systems, to identify problems and to replace wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Training in blueprint reading is necessary to determine location of wiring and equipment in structures. Many electrical workers are trained through three to five year apprentice programs. There are many apprentice programs available, some sponsored by electrical worker unions, or by other organizations. Upon graduation they become journeyman. [Mitchell Technical Institute and Western Dakota Technical both have programs that train 8

14 electricians.] What will I get paid? For most electrical workers, pay comes from an hourly wage. How much they earn depends on location, for whom they work and how many years they have been on the job. When starting out, electrical workers make apprentice wages. Some journey men make twice what they made as an apprentice. Experienced workers draw higher wages by being promoted to foreman or supervisor positions. 8

15 Since plumbers and sheet metal workers are often employed by the same company they were combined into one slide. What will I do? Plumbers are skilled craftsmen who install, repair, and alter pipe systems that carry gases, water and other liquids required for sanitation, storm water, industrial production, and other uses. They install plumbing fixtures, appliances, bathtubs, basins, sinks, showers, and grease line systems. They work from blueprints and working drawings to determine materials required for installation. They cut and thread pipe using pipe cutters, cutting torches, and pipe threading machines. The sheet metal worker works from sketches, blueprints, or verbal instructions necessary to make products, and then installs a wide variety of articles made from sheets of steel, aluminum, copper, and other materials. They apply shop mathematics to lay out the work to be performed. A sheet metal worker uses hand or power operated tools such as shears, breaks (for bending), punch and forming presses, and rolling and crimping machines to cut, bend, and shape the metal. They build the heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and exhaust system ducts in commercial building and homes. These workers make a very wide variety of metal fittings and equipment for the construction industry. 9

16 What training do I need and how can I get it? To become a skilled plumber training is essential. It can be acquired informally through "learning by working;" through company on the job training programs; by attending trade or vocational/ technical schools; through unilaterally (management or labor) sponsored trainee programs; through registered labor management apprenticeship programs, or a combination of the above. It is generally accepted that the more formalized training programs give more comprehensive skill training. Recommended high school courses include English, math, drafting, blueprint reading, physics, and chemistry. To become a skilled sheet metal worker training is essential. It can be acquired informally through "learning by working;" through company on the job training programs; by attending trade or vocational/technical schools; through unilaterally (management or labor) sponsored trainee programs; through registered labor management apprenticeship programs, or a combination of the above. It is generally accepted that the more formalized training programs give more comprehensive skill training. Recommended high school courses include English, general math, geometry, trigonometry, mechanical drawing, physics, and general science. Computer literacy is becoming more important as both layout and Computer Numeric Controlled Machinery (CNC) operation is facilitated by computers. [Southeast Technical Institute has programs that educate people for this type of career.] What will I get paid? Like many jobs in construction, technicians usually work for an hourly wage. The amount they are paid per hour is different from place to place, but they make more as they gain experience. After mastering their skills and proving they can lead a job, some are promoted to foreman or supervisor. Plumbers make an average of $24.92/hr and $51,830 annually. HVAC techs make an average of $21.89 $22.46/hr and $45,5400 $46,721 annually. 9

17 What will I do? Roofers apply built up composition roofing and many other materials such as tile, slate, composition shingles, metals, various types of plastic materials, and other surfaces. Roofers also remove old materials in preparation for new roofing material. Some of the equipment they use are tar kettles, power operated hoists and lifts, compressors, shingle removing equipment, and spray rigs. What training do I need and how can I get it? To become a skilled roofer training is essential. It can be acquired informally through "learning by working;" through company on the job training programs; by attending trade or vocational/technical schools; through unilaterally (management or labor) sponsored trainee programs; through registered labor management apprenticeship programs, or a combination of the above. It is generally accepted that the more formalized training programs give more comprehensive skill training. Recommended high school courses include mathematics, blueprint reading, and general shop. What will I get paid? Like most jobs, the wage amount for a beginner is less than those who already have mastered the skills. Roofers usually are paid by the hour. Pay increases may continue 10

18 through promotions to positions of foremen or supervisors, jobs that are filled by experienced workers. 10

19 [There is no slide on project management, so this would be the best place to talk about being a PM.] What will I do? When building with steel and metal, ironworkers are on top of it. And many times their work takes them to the top. The tops of skyscrapers, bridges, towers or stadiums, where they build the steel frames that keep those structures standing. They bolt and weld steel together. They signal crane operators to position the girders and then use a variety of tools to fasten them together. Many do ornamental metal work. Others specialize in using steel to reinforce concrete. Still others are experts at rigging, or assembling the hoists and lifts needed on many construction jobs. What training do I need and how can I get it? Learning about safety and the tools of the craft are the first things an ironworker learns. They learn which tools are used to cut, weld, shape, hoist and fasten together steel. Welding is one of the main skills an iron worker needs. Ironworkers also have to learn the math needed to do calculations and measurements. Many learn the craft through an apprentice training program. Training programs usually last 11

20 three to five years and involve classroom work and on the job training. Those who attend an apprentice program graduate to become journeymen, which means they ve mastered the basics of iron working. Some choose to learn on the job by hiring on with an iron working crew. [Mitchell Technical Institute is developing their building program to include some ironwork but are not there as of Workers with skill in framing usually transition well into ironwork. Many companies will train ironworkers while on the job.] What will I get paid? Like most jobs, the wage amount for a beginner is less than those who already have mastered the skills. Ironworkers usually are paid by the hour. After apprentices become journeymen, they can earn twice what they earned as beginners. Pay increases may continue through promotions to positions of foremen or supervisors, jobs that are filled by experienced workers. 11

21 [There is no slide on project management, so this would be the best place to talk about being a PM.] What will I do? As an estimator you ll be responsible for helping owners and contractors calculate the expense of building or demolishing a project by tallying the cost of labor, materials and equipment required. Project owners often use these estimates to help select a contracting firm. Estimating can be tricky because material shortages, bad weather and an increase in fuel costs can dramatically change a project s total cost. Estimators review preliminary building drawings and sometimes visit the proposed site to understand all the components of a project. What training do I need and how can I get it? Employers are increasingly looking for estimators with college degrees in building construction, construction management, construction science, engineering or architecture. Skill in math is very important because estimating involves calculating costs and predicting future prices of materials. Young estimators also get much training on the job by working closely with veteran estimators. While in a college, many students participate in internship programs. Internships can provide additional 12

22 training before graduation and help you determine if estimating is the right career choice. [SDSU, SD School of Mines and Black Hills State University all have programs that educate people for this type of career.] What will I get paid? Salaries of cost estimators vary widely by experience, education, employer and industry. Estimators start off earning about $30,000 to $40,000. Those with more experience earn about $62,000. A senior estimator with a good track record predicting project costs can earn more than $80,000 a year. College graduates with a bachelor s degree in construction management or construction science received job offers averaging $42,229 a year, according to a 2003 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. 12

23 [There is no slide of construction management, so this would be the best place to talk about CM.] What will I do? Contractors perform all kinds of jobs required to manage the construction of highways, bridges, tunnels, housing developments, commercial buildings and environmental cleanups. General contracting firms manage and coordinate the construction process from start to finish. Specialty contractors focus on one specific part of a project, such as the installing the electrical system, placing the concrete or building the steel frame. Contracting firms range from local companies with a handful of workers to global competitors with thousands of employees. What training do I need and how can I get it? Different contracting jobs require different kinds of training. Some high school graduates learn construction skills through craft apprenticeship programs that include classroom instruction and paid on the job training. They may move up to superintendent jobs and on to project manager jobs with a contractor. Some start their own companies. Another way to enter the business is to attend a two year or four year college for a degree in construction management, engineering or construction science. During college, many 13

24 students intern for contracting firms. After graduation, they often work as assistant project managers or assistant project engineers. Some contractors return to school after working for several years to earn a masters degree in construction management or a related field. Business training can be very useful. [SDSU, SD School of Mines and Black Hills State University all have programs that educate people for this type of career.] What will I get paid? The size and type of firm directly affect the salaries of contractors. Those with a four year degree from a construction or engineering program can expect higher salaries earlier in their careers. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, candidates with a construction related bachelors degree make salaries averaging $43,000 a year. Construction managers command annual salaries of about $62,500. High level managers make the most, and may earn $80,000 or more a year. Owners and partners in contracting firms may earn $100,000 or more. 13

25 Click to display the 2 nd and 3 rd questions. When you click the previous question will disappear. Question 1: Do you like to build things? Question 2: Are you strong in math or science and do you have fun with technology? Question 3: Do you like to help others or enjoy running events, and think you might be good at managing people one day? [Use this slide to wrap up the presentation. Like the four pictures on the opening slide, the three questions are formulated to connect things that students enjoy to a career in the construction industry.] 14

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