How to Build a Career in Construction

The IMF has estimated that the growth of global construction in 2018 was 3.8% and the numbers show that the construction industry has no intention of slowing down. This makes it one of the most promising areas to build a career in, for women, too, especially considering the fact that construction work is something people are always going to need. Just like with any other industry, if you are looking to build a career in construction, there are a few things you should know beforehand to help you get started on the right path.

Choose an area to specialize in

There are many areas within the construction industry that specialize in different types of work. And, while having some general knowledge in most of them can definitely prove to be beneficial, the best way to get started is to choose one and specialize in it. The area you choose should first and foremost depend on your personal preferences and something you believe you will be good at.

Once you’ve found something you are passionate about, it can be a good idea to do some research, just to see how the market is doing and what your chances of success are. With that being said, if you think you found something that really interests you, even if the market situation isn’t too favourable, you should still follow your heart and give it a shot.

Acquire the needed certification

Once you found the area you want to work in, the next step is to get certified. Pretty much all areas of construction work require some sort of certification as it is, after all, skilled and at times dangerous work. This will mean you have to go through some sort of internship or graduate job to provide you with the on-site experience needed in order to get certified.

Furthermore, when looking to start your own construction business, you will also have to register with the proper authorities in order to get your building licence. In Australia, each state has different requirements for builders looking to get licenced, so it’s important to make sure you meet all the requirements before moving on.

Obtain the essential equipment you will be needing

The construction industry can be very capital demanding because of the heavy equipment needed for the job. Because of this, when you are getting started, it can be a good idea to rent it out until you found a stable base from which you will be able to grow. This is especially true for big equipment like cranes and bulldozers which can be too big of an investment for a small business. Luckily, finding crane hire should be an easy task, especially if you are located in one of those cities. With that being said, there is still some essential equipment that can be worth buying like excavators, dump trucks and backhoe loaders which will help you organize your projects with maximum efficiency.

In addition, to keep up with in the digital era, you can also incorporate technology like a concrete maturity sensor to help monitor the curing process of concrete for your projects and provide real-time data that can contribute to optimizing the construction process. It can detect the temperature, strength, and maturity of the concrete, which helps you identify the optimal time to remove the forms, reduce construction time, reduce overhead costs, and improve the quality of the end product.

Never stop learning

The construction business is best learnt through experience, so always strive to improve and learn new things that will help you take your career to the next level. Try to start projects and build partnerships with people who have been in construction for a long time, as they can prove to be a great source of knowledge and can provide you with the direction you should be heading in. On top of this, you should always look to keep up with the latest trends and technological advancements used in construction. Even if you don’t have the money to implement them, having an understanding of the latest techniques and methods being used can make you come across more professional and serious about your business.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the most important thing you need to possess in order to have a successful career in construction is a positive attitude. Yes, there will be hard days where you start feeling like you should just give up, but you have to push through them. Remember that you are doing something you love and nothing good was ever achieved without a few sacrifices along the way.