Blog Post: Don't rule out the construction industry as a professional career path!

Despite the recession and economic downturn, construction is the only aggregate sector in the goods-producing side of the U.S. economy, that includes mining and manufacturing, which is expected to add jobs (over 780,000) between 2006-2016.  www.maricopa.edu/workforce

As 75 million baby boomers approach retirement age, a significant portion of the existing construction workforce will be leaving.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics still predicts we will have more construction jobs than qualified workers.  The construction industry is still among the economy’s top 10 largest sources of growth.  The opportunity to own your own firm is better in construction than any other industry.  Keep in mind for every construction job created, there are three more are created for the supplier and support industry.

Construction offers opportunities:  year around work, skills that are transferable world-wide, new technology and equipment, pride in craftsmanship, physical activity, variety of work, can’t be outsourced (they are not going to build that airport overseas and ship it here!) just to name a few!

By 2040 the population is expected to be 400 million – we need construction workers to build schools, homes, hospitals, office complexes, and what about all the roads and airports to transport them on?  Aging infrastructure will always need replacing, and waste water treatment facilities will always be in huge demand!  New fields emerge every year, with a heavy emphasis on the environment, going green and solar, and alternative energy uses.

Keep in mind this statement by the NCCER, “nearly one half of what will be the built environment in 2030 doesn’t exist yet – because we’re going to build it!”  Construction is an industry that should be considered as a professional choice, not a job of last resort.

Stay tuned for further posts regarding what it takes to be successful in this industry and how to get started on YOUR path of a career of first choice!