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Career Opportunities in Skilled Trades

There are many different occupations in the skilled trades. Examples of a few of the skilled trades in the construction industry are:

Carpenter

Carpenters work with wood, wood products, metal and other building materials. They build frames, floors, walls and ceilings for both residential and non-residential buildings. They may also do concrete form work, pile driving, drywall installation or "finish" work such as hanging doors or building cabinets.

Men and women in this trade need math skills to measure materials. They must also be able to read blueprints and draw sketches to communicate with others. If you enjoy working with wood and are interested in carpentry, you'll need to do well in algebra and geometry.

Electrician

Electricians in the construction industry install electrical systems in houses, office buildings and commercial facilities. They may also wire electrical panels or install fixtures. People in this trade need a strong background in math, blueprint reading and electrical theory to do their job accurately and safely.

Do you like to solve problems using math skills? Are you interested in computers? If you want to consider the electrical trade, you'll need algebra as a minimum requirement. A course in electricity and additional math and science courses will help, too.

Plumber/Pipefitter

 Men and women in this trade work with water, steam and air. Plumbers install or repair pipe systems in commercial and residential buildings. Pipefitters work on plumbing systems in institutional or manufacturing facilities. They also install air, oil, water, gas and hydraulic lines used to cool machines or power robots.

Bricklayer/Trowel Trades

The trowel trades are the family of crafts that have in common their most basic tool - the trowel. Examples of the work performed by masonry craftsmen are all around you in the tile, brick and concrete block used in homes, schools and hospitals. Add to these examples cement finishing, plastering, terrazzo, stone and marble work and you can begin to see the many jobs skilled trowel workers do.

Work in the trowel trades is a combination of physical and mental activity. You must first develop the skill to use the tools and place masonry materials efficiently, with high quality workmanship. Additionally, you must understand mathematics and its application to building materials and gain a thorough knowledge of construction blueprint reading. Begin to study these subjects while in school.

Painter

Painters apply paint, stain, varnish and other finishes to buildings and other structures. They choose the right paint or finish for the surface to be covered, prepare the surfaces for proper adhesion, select the right applicator for the job, erect scaffolding and mix and match colors.

People who excel at painting have good manual dexterity and good color sense. They are in good physical condition and have great stamina. Do you like to work independently? Many painters do; in fact, over 40% have their own businesses. If you think painting might be for you, prepare for this craft in school by studying mathematics.

Iron Worker

 Structural iron workers assemble, erect and install fabricated iron sections. Reinforcing iron workers fabricate and place steel bars in concrete for reinforcement. Ornamental iron workers install metal stairways, cat walks, gratings, iron ladders, metal window sashes, curtain and window walls, doors, gates, fences, railings, and decorative iron work. Special building erectors erect pre-engineered buildings.

Were you always the first one to the top of the monkey bars as a kid? Do you have good agility, balance, eyesight and depth perception? Then you may be ready for a challenging career as an iron worker. In high school, study mathematics and technical drawing and keep in good physical shape.

Operating Engineer

Operating engineers operate and maintain hoisting and portable construction equipment, including bulldozers, scrapers, excavators, graders, loaders and cranes. With this equipment the operators haul material, level sites, excavate material for basements and footings, dig trenches and unload heavy material.

Has your early fascination with machinery never left you? Do you have a good sense of balance, the ability to judge distance, good eye-hand-foot coordination and mechanical aptitude? Get ready to hop aboard your dream equipment by getting some auto mechanics' training while in high school.

Other Opportunities

Boilermaker
Constructs and maintains utility, chemical and automotive plants; refineries; paper and steel manufacturing facilities; ore processing and mine plants.

Glazier
Installs glass and aluminum windows, curtain walls, shower doors, mirrors, room dividers, security glazing and other glass products.

Insulation/Asbestos Worker
Applys insulation, wraps pipes and tanks for heat, frost and condensation in industrial settings; removes asbestos insulation.

Laborer
Installs sewer and water mains, excavates tunnels and shafts, demolition, highway work, environmental remediation, provides support for the work of many other trades.

Millwright
Installs or moves heavy equipment or machinery, assembles or repairs conveyor systems in manufacturing plants.

Roofer
Installs, removes and replaces roofs, using tar or asphalt and gravel, rubber, thermoplastic and metal; as well as shingles of all types.

Sheet Metal Worker
Designs, installs and services heating, ventilating, air conditioning systems and pollution control duct systems, including complex computerized HVAC system controls; fabricates and installs other building parts and products made from metal sheets.

Sprinkler Fitter
Installs fire suppression systems of all types, wet and dry.

Tile Setter
Installs ceramic and other types of tile.