4 Pathways to a Career in Construction

Although an increasing number of students are seeking alternatives to traditional education, many people remain unaware of the paths that lead to construction careers. The industry offers both in-demand career opportunities and numerous points of entry that provide options suited to almost any educational preference.

There are generally four main ways people obtain construction training: career and technical education (CTE) in high school, industry training and apprenticeships, community college, and four-year universities. Let’s examine the benefits of these different paths and how they might intersect.

CTE In High School

For some students, their first experience with construction training will come in the form of career and technical education courses in their high school. These CTE courses help students explore key construction crafts like carpentry, electrical and plumbing, while gaining valuable experience and knowledge about fundamental construction basics such as safety and applied math.

CTE focuses on teaching direct career skills through hands-on learning. The construction component of CTE, often known as shop class, can give students an early feel for working with construction tools, equipment and materials.

High school CTE programs are a great way to get started in construction, though such programs aren’t available in all schools. This is why the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) developed its High School Builder Program — an easy-to-implement, cost-effective way for schools to start a construction education program that provides quality hands-on curricula and leads to industry-recognized credentials.

Industry Training and Apprenticeships

Many construction companies provide training for new hires, either through in-house programs or by paying for the trainees to attend technical or community college.

One of the most popular training approaches is the apprenticeship model. Construction apprenticeships feature a split between related technical instruction (RTI) and on-the-job training (OJT). Many apprenticeship programs are either federally registered or state-registered, although in most cases the standards and requirements are the same. One of the main differences between a registered apprenticeship program and a non-registered training program is how progress of the trainee is tracked and recorded.

Depending on the program and the craft, an apprenticeship usually takes 2 to 4 years, at about 2,000 hours per year. Upon successful completion of an apprenticeship – often accompanied by passing a certification or licensing exam – craft professionals shed the apprentice label and earn the title of journeyman.

A unique advantage of an apprenticeship or industry training program is the opportunity to earn as you learn, as shown in NCCER’s Career Pathways Earnings Data Comparison. For instance, apprentices in a registered apprenticeship program are paid for their work during OJT time, often done during the day, while taking the RTI components at night. As apprentices advance in their training, their pay rates advance as well.

While high school CTE and unaffiliated community college programs tend to teach construction in a broader sense, construction companies often focus their in-house training programs on their specific company needs.

Community College

Community colleges and two-year associate’s degrees offer versatile options for construction education, including general introductory programs as well as specific craft training that leads to opportunities with local contractors.

If a CTE program is not available at a student’s high school, community college can help form a foundation of the needed knowledge, such as the math and science aspects of construction. This is a great option for students who are still exploratory and don’t want to jump straight into industry training with a company or for young people who want to learn craft skills while still having more of a traditional college experience.

Community colleges often act as a talent pool for construction – students can learn a craft, and upon completion of the program, local contractors can hire them. Some companies have agreements with community colleges where they can hire students before they have even graduated, provided they stay in school through the completion of the degree.

Contractors and construction companies also collaborate with community colleges to help facilitate apprenticeship programs. Rather than teach in-house, those companies send trainees to the community college and take advantage of their dedicated teaching staff and classroom facilities for the knowledge-based component of the apprenticeship. Using a community college partnership like this can provide some stability; while a building project may only take 1-2 years to complete, the community college remains in place and can instruct regardless of the status of the OJT project.

Four-Year Universities

While most construction craft careers don’t require a four-year bachelor’s degree, there are opportunities in the industry for those who wish to pursue the university route.

Construction management, engineering and architecture are all areas of construction that require a four-year degree. This pathway offers a full college experience for students while preparing them for positions in management and design.

Furthermore, the construction industry isn’t just comprised of the builders and designers for construction projects. Construction companies also have information technology, human resources, legal, marketing and public relations, and other departments like any other type of company that draw employees from various education backgrounds. Construction has opportunities for everyone.

All Training Is Connected

Perhaps more than any other field, the various education and training pathways in construction are interconnected. A craft professional may go through all four of the training models highlighted here at some point in their career, and not necessarily in the order you would expect. At the end of the day, it’s all about continuously learning and gaining the skills needed for the great career opportunities available in the construction industry.

One way to help students start on their construction career path is through CareerStarter, a free career exploration tool designed to build connections between students and opportunities to enter the construction industry. This platform provides a place for students to search for training programs and apply for entry-level positions. Learn more by visiting www.nccer.org/careerstarter.