As a career choice, the construction industry offers exciting opportunities. Construction-related activity comprises the largest segment of our Gross National Product at a little over eight percent. Therefore, most students in any given classroom will be involved in the industry in one form or another. The National Association of Home Builders conducted a study which revealed two out of three builders (nationally) are forced to employ workers with skills below those expected for their jobs.

Opportunities for employment in the construction industry are very good. Primary sources of employment are found with building contractors, construction material suppliers, architectural and civil engineering firms, and self-employment. Employment can be obtained as a carpenter, subcontractor, project foreman, estimator, insurance adjustor, and various others.

The building trade of which a person is working in will determine the type of conditions they must deal with. For example a roofer will always be working outside and a finish carpenter will generally be working inside. A person can determine the type of working condition by the area of construction they choose to work in.

Tasks:

There are dozens of trades and thousands of different tasks that are required to build a residential structure. Many of them include:

• Using hand and power tools
• Solving problems
• Being creative
• Following directions

• Program Length: 600/1,080 Hours
• Wage Summary:
      Cabinetmakers:
      $11.74–$19.83
      Carpenters:
      $12.55–$25.00
      Carpenter Helpers:
      $9.43–$14.96
• Student Eligibility: High School & Adult
• Hours Available: 8:00–1:00
• Pell-eligible: Yes
• VA eligible: Yes