14 Construction Skills: Construction labour may seem to be simple, but it is a physically and emotionally hard profession. To accomplish their tasks properly, construction workers must possess a variety of talents and characteristics.
A construction job involves a wide range of duties and environments, from working in cramped quarters and at perilous heights to operating heavy machinery in inclement weather. However, the benefits and speed of this career may be enjoyable for many experts.
Even if individuals aren’t as engaged in trades as they once were, those who have worked in the field for a long time may manage whole construction teams and complete outstanding projects that have a positive impact on the lives of others. The number of construction employment might increase by up to 10% by 2024. After health, business, and education, it would be the fourth fastest-growing sector.
A contemporary construction worker must have a combination of technical understanding, physical endurance, and effective communication skills. Here is our list of the most vital talents that construction employees and contractors must have.
- Body strength and endurance
It should come as no surprise that working in construction is physically demanding. Many jobs on a work site need a great deal of power and energy. Almost half of all construction tasks will need heavy lifting and strength.
Workers must have the proper posture and form to do manual labour properly and safely, both inside and outdoors.
- The ability to move your hands and eyes in unison.
Along with strength, construction workers must be able to move their hands and eyes together as well as be dexterous. Construction workers spend a lot of time sitting, laying down, and standing. You must have strong limb coordination to move your arms and legs fast and accurately in any situation.
You must also have strong vision to work in construction. Skilled personnel must be able to read papers, examine details up close and from a distance, and observe gauges and dials for equipment to function properly.
- Construction and engineering knowledge
Physical abilities are as vital as technical abilities. Approximately 36% of contractors fail due to insufficient training or expertise with certain kinds of work. A worker’s skill set is significantly enhanced if they understand how to utilise the materials and equipment required for a broad variety of construction activities. Here are some abilities you should possess:
- Masonry
- Surveying
- Ironwork
- Plumbing
- HVAC
- Demolition
- Structures, roads, and bridges are constructed and repaired.
- Renovations
- Framing
- Roofing
- Experience and understanding of building materials
- Powerful instruments
- Wallcovering
It’s also critical to understand and be able to distinguish between the many types of heavy equipment required for various operations. Some bulldozers, for example, are more effective than others at moving objects.
- Strong reading and math abilities
Construction work entails more than simply physical labour. Workers will need to master arithmetic, algebra, and geometry to calculate construction materials, keep track of measurements, and figure out what modifications need to be done. Reading is also a vital ability to have since making things necessitates a lot of documentation and understanding what blueprints entail.
- Keep in mind
People who need to be instructed how to do things over and over again will not do well in business. Construction organisations like to recruit workers that can complete their tasks on their own.
Because construction work requires accuracy and precision, you must have a strong memory to recall crucial information, methods, and processes.
- Interacting with others
One of the most critical talents for a builder to have is communication. Poor communication accounts for 48% of construction work that must be redone. Construction employees must be able to ask questions, provide orders, and make judgments on the job. They must also be capable of writing emails, reports, and other papers. Communication abilities include:
- Reading
- Vocabulary
- ability to listen and follow instructions
- Communication through writing
- Communication via speech
- Understanding of how to utilise technology
Technology is still one of the most significant factors that will shape the construction sector in the next years. According to JBKnowledge, a construction technology business, 54% of construction organisations have departments dedicated to studying and creating new technologies. To remain competitive in the market, today’s employees must learn how to utilise modern building technology such as:
- Virtual and augmented reality (AR)
- Virtual reality (VR)
- BIM (building information modeling)
- Drones
- Apps for mobile devices
- Building management software
- A willingness to learn
People who work in construction should be eager to learn as well. The construction business is always developing new tools, procedures, and methods of doing things to make the task simpler and save money. Those that take the initiative to learn about new trends will be able to educate the rest of their team, which is an important ability for higher-level positions.
- Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
There are always issues on construction projects. Whether it’s incorrect measurements or project delays, issues must be addressed immediately to keep a project on schedule. This is particularly crucial when it comes to worker safety.
Every construction worker must be able to respond fast and devise solutions on the go.
- Organizing the Project
Because there are so many moving pieces in construction, being able to organise a project is a highly useful ability. According to PlanGrid, construction employees spend 35% of their time doing activities that aren’t the greatest use of their time, such as seeking for project information or correcting errors. A well-organized worker will be able to manage their schedule to get the job done while avoiding unnecessary or time-consuming duties.
- Collaborative effort
Construction work is mostly a team activity that requires constant collaboration. Additionally, There is no time for arguments or queries on the work site. Workers that can communicate with and work effectively with their colleagues will be able to keep their team engaged and the project completed on schedule.
Construction workers must be able to manage their emotions in addition to working effectively with others. According to studies, the top project managers devote between 60 and 80% of their time to the people skills required for project management.
- Customer Service
You may harm your business no matter how fantastic your builds are if you can’t interact with clients properly. Construction professionals, like those who work in other customer service industries, must have patience, empathy, expert knowledge, and the capacity to cope with unexpected in order to address client queries, concerns, and complaints.
- Instruction
Even though not all employees must be managers, knowing how to manage can offer you an advantage in your profession. Moreover, Having leadership skills can assist you in completing tasks that will help you advance in your job. These are some examples of leadership and management skills
- Managing Workplaces
- Maintaining a focus on quality
- Putting estimates together
- When it comes to pricing,
- In charge of groups
- Attempting to contact prospective clients
- Understand the construction codes.
However, Building codes, safety rules, labour agreements, green building laws, and environmental regulations are all demanded of construction workers. Training will go more easily if you understand these guidelines, and you will be a more valued part of the team.
How should someone who works in construction be educated?
Most entry-level construction occupations do not need any formal schooling. Workers sometimes begin as unskilled labourers to learn the fundamentals of the profession before progressing to acquire a specialised skill. According to AGC of America, 63 percent of organisations aim to boost their spending for internal training and development this year, a 52 percent increase over last year.
People who wish to learn about construction before beginning a career may attend a trade school or participate in a paid apprenticeship. Trade school is a one or two-year vocational programme that teaches the fundamentals of several trades. Following vocational schooling, an individual might pursue a paid apprenticeship to develop more specialised skills.
Workers with experience may then further their education by obtaining a degree in construction or engineering. A college education may offer employees sophisticated math and scientific abilities that they can use in their individual construction job as well as to rise up the professional ladder and become managers.
At last, If a worker has these essential building abilities, he or she will be able to do any task and become a successful, well-rounded builder in the field.
