Your choice of career path is a significant decision that can affect all aspects of life. It’s essential to choose one that reflects your passions, provides stability, and financially supports your lifestyle. If you’re searching for a meaningful career, the construction industry can offer a great sense of fulfilment. Whether you’re helping to build a family’s future home or constructing commercial buildings where others make their living, the work you perform in construction ensures the safety and comfort of others.
Despite the many benefits to pursuing a career in this industry, The National Association of Home Builders recently conducted a study amongst young people that revealed lukewarm interest. Only 3% of respondents were interested in the construction trade as a career choice. Furthermore, 48% of respondents want to have a less physically demanding role, and 32% believe construction work is too difficult.
The construction industry’s reputation of requiring tough physical labour is the major factor keeping a fresh, young workforce from considering a career in this field. Like most other modern industries, however, technological advancements have made things far less physically demanding. Construction is becoming more about the safe and efficient use of various tools and technology to get the job done.
Our Senior Recruiter within the Construction and Manufacturing division, Sonia Di Nino, provides insight into why pursuing a career in the construction industry will lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career. So whether you’ve just graduated from high school or you’re looking for a career change, keep reading to learn more about why you should consider working in the construction industry.
Achieve Tangible Results
As opposed to many other career avenues, you can immediately see the progression of your work and enjoy the final results for years to come. Even in your retirement, you’ll be able to pass by buildings and say, “I was a part of building that structure.” You’ll also have a better understanding of the urban planning of the city you reside in. Being an integral part of that development will ultimately affect your city’s economic standing. Knowing you made a difference in your community and played a role in your city’s economic growth can be remarkably rewarding.
It’s Not a Desk Job
The reality is that a desk job doesn’t suit everyone. According to the Mayo Clinic, sitting for long periods can lead to fatal health concerns such as increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, abnormal cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In addition, a desk job can become mundane and tiresome if the tasks at hand don’t stimulate your mental and physical well-being. Many positions allow you to be at least lightly active all day when working within the construction industry. Performing a physical job might also mean not having to pay for a gym membership, as you’ll receive adequate exercise on the job.
Career Stability and Ample Opportunities for Growth
Employment needs within this industry have grown by more than 80% in the last 15 years, making it one of the fastest-growing industries in Canada. According to Careers in Construction, this growth pattern will last until 2029 as 257,000 workers gradually retire. With more demand for infrastructure and a current lack of interest in the field, 300,200 workers need to be added to the sector by 2028, according to BuildForce Canada. With a large majority of the construction workforce close to retirement, now is an excellent opportunity to learn from these tenured professionals.
Qualifying yourself as a tradesperson is one way to take your credentials to the next level to apply for better jobs. You can learn specialized skill sets from seasoned veterans of the field by joining a provincial apprenticeship program.
The benefit of an apprenticeship is that you’ll earn a percentage of what a qualified worker would make, with each year earning more until you are fully certified. In contrast to other industries where young adults accrue massive student debt, you’ll be earning a significant wage during your education while working in construction.
The Government of Ontario is Investing in the Future of Construction Workers
Recently, the provincial government announced it’s investing 288.2 million dollars in its Skilled Trades Strategy for 2021-22. The purpose of this strategy is to modernize and develop the skilled trades industry and apprenticeship system by simplifying the apprenticeship process, encouraging businesses to participate, and informing the public about the benefits of pursuing a skilled trade job.
On June 3, 2021, the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, was passed. It was established to make the province’s skilled trades apprenticeship system more accessible, easier to navigate, and more efficient. In addition, this legislation streamlines the certification process by replacing the old Ontario College of Trades with a new crown agency, Skilled Trades Ontario.
Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, released the following quote after the announcements of the investments were made:
“Construction workers make our dreams come to life – it’s on their backs that we have the homes our families live in, the schools where we learn, and the hospitals and health care centres that have been crucial to us over the last 18 months.” We need to take care of these talented workers by giving them what they need to build with confidence and vision – while training our future generation for these in-demand jobs.”
Diverse Roles
Building a home or commercial building requires the expertise of many specializations, including electricians, roofers, carpenters, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. The National Association of Home Builders claims that 70 percent of builders typically use between 11 and 30 subcontractors to build a single-family home. With exposure to so many different categories within construction, as you progress throughout your career, and with experience, you can decide which role best suits your interests and your abilities.
Salaries are on the Rise
Salaries are steadily rising; even junior management positions in the present climate earn more than $60,000 per year. To learn more about construction salaries within the Ottawa Region and the Greater Toronto Area, download our latest Construction Salary Guide. The guide provides information regarding the latest salaries for over nineteen construction & development positions, including up-to-date information on today’s hiring environment.
Traditionally, those with a university degree who seek project management or civil engineering positions earn higher salaries even after graduation. Without post-secondary education, construction workers will also benefit from income security. Some of the highest paid jobs without a 4-year degree include:
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Elevator Installers/Repair technicians
- Electricians
- Boilermakers
Work With Emerging Technology
When most people think of construction jobs, a hammer, some nails, and considerable manual labour come to mind. However, the tools and equipment of the trade, just like the compensation, are advancing. Construction projects are becoming more complex, requiring new technology. This includes mobile construction software, document management systems, BIM (Building Information Modeling), and drones. The future of construction will continue to leverage advancements in technology to complete projects faster, more safely, and more efficiently.
Every Day is Different
There are many jobs on the market in which you perform the same mundane, repetitive tasks every day. However, when working in construction, the work is project-based, so that every project will be different from each other in some way. In addition, diversification in tasks allows for continuous learning for workers, making them well-rounded and skilled employees quickly due to their exposure to different types of work.
Sonia Di Nino shares her experience recruiting individuals in the construction industry and how helping others find their passions and livelihood brings her great joy.
“My job is more than filling orders as they come, it’s not as transactional as many believe, in fact, my job is helping people take the next step in their career. Whether it has to do with a job title change, working for an organization with more opportunity to grow, or working on an iconic project. I’m adding value to their lives and helping them develop professionally and personally. The best feeling is when I get those messages months after I have made a placement, a message to simply say thank you, detailed or not, I have made an impact and that’s what’s important to me.”
“I’m a relationship-based recruiter, whether it takes 2 weeks or a year to find someone the perfect fit, then that’s the time I take to help my candidates. I simply love what I do and the industry I work in makes it fun! Construction is tangible, I love to be part of the overall project delivery.”
At LRO Staffing, we work with construction and manufacturing companies in Ottawa, Gatineau, Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal and have abundant opportunities for many skill levels. Contact us today to discover your next career move!
