Construction Trades | Careers In Demand | KET
Why pursue a construction trade?
Benefits of a career in the construction industry include stable employment and compensation. Regular physical activity is another characteristic of construction trade jobs, which can help workers maintain their fitness. Because you do not need a college degree to work in the construction industry, candidates without a college education may find it easier to qualify for these positions. Working on a team that performs the same trade as you or collaborating with other trade teams to complete various aspects of a project are additional requirements for the majority of construction trade jobs.
16 trades in construction
Here are 16 trades related to construction:
1. Structural iron and steelworker
A structural iron and steel worker erects the foundational structures for buildings. They sometimes use torches or shears to measure and cut steel beams as part of their job, which involves moving heavy materials like girders or steel beams using cranes or other large pieces of equipment. Additionally, these craftspeople make sure that each building they work on is evenly positioned so that it will remain sturdy once other building materials like walls and flooring have been added.
2. Elevator installer and repairer
A person who installs or repairs elevators does so while also maintaining associated machinery. Elevator installers and repairers take great care to use the right tools and include all the parts, including elevator doors, cables, motors, and steel frames, as the elevator is a complicated and large machine. Additionally, elevator installers and repairers can identify the cause of an elevator malfunction, such as worn-out components or inconsistent voltage, and take the necessary remedial action.
3. Construction and building inspector
Building and construction inspectors make sure that new construction projects and existing structures adhere to rules like zoning laws, building codes, and contract clauses. Their work may involve going to construction sites for structures like buildings, highways, and bridges to check on whether any applicable regulations or codes are being followed. Building and construction inspectors use tools like survey and testing instruments to look for any violations that might impair a construction site’s ability to operate lawfully and safely.
4. Sheet metal worker
A sheet metal worker installs and fixes components of building projects using metal sheets. This could apply to heating and cooling systems, ductwork, and drainage pipes. Additionally, sheet metal workers can choose to specialize in fields like welding, rail protection, roofing, siding, and kitchen appliances like ovens. A large portion of a sheet metal worker’s job entails measuring, drilling, and cutting materials as well as joining and securing machine parts using welding techniques.
5. Carpenter
A carpenter creates wooden structures for a building’s foundation and fixtures. Building frameworks, stairs, rafters, doors, and interior fixtures like cabinets and drywall can all fall under this category. Carpenters occasionally meet with customers to make sure their work complies with any requests they may have Carpenters use tools like hammers, levels, sanders, and nail guns to measure, cut, and install fixtures out of wood in a variety of shapes.
6. Oil and gas worker
A petroleum engineer provides plans for drilling, which an oil and gas worker implements. They are primarily responsible for using machinery to drill wells into the ground and remove oil or gas from the well. To maintain and monitor wells and drilling projects, oil and gas workers can operate a variety of equipment such as derricks, rotary drills, service units, and roustabouts.
7. Electrician
An electrician installs and repairs electrical wiring in buildings. In order to do this, they adhere to blueprints and diagrams that show where new electrical wires should be installed and where existing electrical wires can be worked around. Additionally, electricians fix and replace electrical system components like circuit breakers, outlets, and motors that are damaged. Electricians use equipment like pipe benders, wire strippers, saws, drills, voltmeters, and screwdrivers to work with and install electrical wires.
8. Drywall and ceiling tile installer
A drywall and ceiling installer makes sure that insulation, ceiling tiles, and drywall are installed correctly and of high quality. These experts follow design blueprints to measure, cut, and plan for installation of their materials. When installing new fixtures, drywall and ceiling installers must take into account any existing building fixtures, such as electrical outlets, plumbing, or windows, and find ways to work around them. The typical equipment used by those installing drywall and ceilings includes utility knives, power saws, cement adhesive, and nails or screws.
9. Construction equipment operator
On a construction site, a construction equipment operator is in charge of large pieces of machinery. Cranes, bulldozers, tractors, and concrete paver equipment are among the tools that a construction equipment operator may use. Large-scale construction tasks like laying the foundation for new buildings, leveling stretches of asphalt, and driving piles of material into the ground for foundation support are carried out by construction equipment operators using these machines.
10. Carpet installer
A carpet installer installs carpeting and secures it to the floor of rooms or hallways in a building. To prepare a floor for new carpeting, carpet installers first assess the flooring and occasionally remove it, whether it is hardwood, old carpeting, or another material. This may entail taking measurements, sanding down wood, or removing old carpeting and insulation.
The new carpet is then positioned on top of the padding that was previously used as support, making sure that it reaches the room’s walls and is flat. New carpeting can be installed using hammers, knives, carpet shears, staplers, and other tools.
11. Boilermaker
A boilermaker is a mechanic who fixes boilers and other equipment that heats water to produce power or heat. In addition to installing new boilers in structures or factories, boilermakers can also maintain and repair existing boilers. Boilermakers can use welders and other tools to assemble and test new boilers to ensure their quality and performance. Additionally, boilermakers may clean large liquid-filled vats using equipment like scrapers and wire brushes.
12. Plumber
Plumbing in homes, businesses, and other buildings is installed and maintained by plumbers. Plumbers can maintain and repair existing plumbing systems as well as install new plumbing systems, including pipes, drains, and fixtures. Plumbers also deal with industrial pipes that transport gases or chemicals for factories or manufacturing facilities. A plumber typically uses pliers, pipe and tube benders, thread sealing tape, and tubing cutters to complete repairs.
13. Painter
A painter can apply or change paint to walls and other surfaces on the interior or exterior of buildings. Some painters work on structures like office buildings or bridges, while others do their work on homes or other residential structures. After preparing the areas that clients want painted, painters may sand off outdated paint or apply fresh paint.
This might entail patching up holes or cracks in surfaces, blending paint to achieve a desired color, and using sealant to keep the paint looking good. To paint both large and small areas, painters use equipment like brushes, rollers, and sprayers.
14. Glazier
A glazier is a person who installs and replaces glass, typically windows, in structures. Each project’s glass requirements are determined by glaziers, who also measure and cut the glass to fit the installation area. A glazier may also laminate glass to increase its durability or fasten pieces of glass to frames to create glass doors. Glaziers can finish projects in both residential and public buildings and can also work on interior fixtures like shower doors or mirrors.
15. Construction laborer and helper
An employee of a construction site, also known as a laborer or helper, can help with tasks like setting up a construction site for projects and picking up debris. Workers in the construction industry remove any potential dangers from work sites, such as extra parts or building debris.
Additionally, they can help more specialized construction workers like carpenters, electricians, and painters. Workers in the construction industry who specialize in tasks like clearing out waste or hazardous materials, constructing roads, or demolishing existing structures
16. Roofer
A roofer installs and maintains the roofing on buildings. Spending time at great heights while installing or repairing roof components is one of the main aspects of a roofer’s job. Roofers can replace damaged shingles, tiles, or asphalt or install new roofing or repair existing roof components. When they become worn or damaged, roofers will also occasionally replace deeper roof layers like plywood or insulation. A roofer installs and fixes roofing materials using saws, screws, and other tools.
FAQ
What type of trade are in construction?
- Structural iron and steelworker. A structural iron and steel worker erects the foundational structures for buildings.
- Elevator installer and repairer. …
- Construction and building inspector. …
- Sheet metal worker. …
- Carpenter. …
- Oil and gas worker. …
- Electrician. …
- Drywall and ceiling tile installer.
What construction trade is best?
- Electrician. …
- Plumber. …
- Sheet Metal Worker. …
- Carpenter. …
- Equipment Operator. …
- Mason. …
- Glazier. …
- Solar Installer.
What is the highest paying construction trade?
- Boilermaker ($65,360) …
- Construction and building inspector ($62,860) …
- Electrician ($56,900) …
- Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters ($56,330) …
- Ironworkers ($53,210) …
- Sheet metal workers ($51,370) …
- Carpenters ($49,520) …
- Construction equipment operators ($49,100)
What does trade construction mean?
Essentially, a trade contractor is a kind of subcontractor that focuses on a particular area of a construction project. These specializations can include everything from painting and plumbing to site preparation and electrical. A skilled job that typically requires extensive training and manual skills is referred to as a “trade.”
