Careers in Construction Month Top 4 Reasons to Pursue a Career in Construction

As the home building industry celebrates Careers in Construction Month in October, we’re sharing the top four reasons to consider a rewarding career in residential construction.

Diversity of Skilled Trades to Consider

A home builder relies on a number of highly trained workers to get the job done right. This includes dozens of skilled artisans and professionals, including carpenters, architects, engineers, plumbers, electricians, painters and landscapers. Analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that 70 percent of builders typically use between 11 and 30 subcontractors to build a single-family home. Indeed, there are many different trades you can pursue depending on your personal interests.

Job Opportunities Across the Country

As the housing market continues to strengthen, home builders across the country and here in our area are seeking skilled workers — such as carpenters, framers and roofers — to help them build the American Dream. This means there is ample opportunity for motivated students seeking a rewarding career path.

In fact, the residential construction industry is one of the few sectors where demand for new workers is rising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and NAHB analysis, the number of open construction sector jobs (on a seasonally adjusted basis) increased to 232,000 in July 2017.

Jobs Satisfaction and Competitive Salaries

Residential construction workers consistently express high job satisfaction. Salaries remain competitive with other industries in our area.

Rewarding Career without College Debt

At a time when countless college graduates are finding themselves underemployed and saddled with crushing student debt, it’s important to know that earning a college degree is not the only road to success. A vocational education is equally rewarding and can be obtained at a fraction of the cost.

We have two vocational schools in the area, Lorain County Joint Vocational School and EHOVE (Erie Huron Ottawa Vocational Education). They offer many career options through a wide range of exciting career and technical programs, including the Building Trades. These schools allow high school students the jump on further education or careers by offering the chance to earn careertech skills and many industry recognized certifications before leaving high school.

For nearly 50 years, the Home Builders Institute (HBI) and its forerunner, the Manpower Development and Training Department of the National Association of Home Builders – NAHB (which the NCBIA is a local association of) have trained workers in construction, promoted the building industry as a career and helped address its need for qualified employees.

HBI, a national leader in career training and NAHB’s workforce development arm, offers educational programs in 44 states and the District of Columbia, reaching more than 13,000 students each year. These include more than 10,000 students in HBI’s preapprenticeship programs and 3,500 students in 130 NAHB Student Chapters. HBI prepares students with the skills and experiences they need for careers in the building industry.

HBI Job Corps programs are in 74 centers across the nation and offer preapprenticeship training in 10 residential construction trades. The training programs are national in scope, but implemented locally using proven models that can be customized to meet the workforce needs of communities across the nation. Those who graduate from the program enjoy an 80 percent job placement rate.

Not every student is suited to go to college, and not every student necessarily wants to go. We have done an injustice to the younger generations in this country by telling them that there is only one path to success, which is to get a college degree. There are many goodpaying jobs available that a college degree does note prepare them for.

The North Coast BIA is your local not-for profit trade association representing member companies involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Like us on Facebook - - or better yet share us.

Visit our website, ncbia.com, for more information on construction workforce - click on Industry

News and then Join the Workforce. You can also find a list of our trusted and reputable members, as well as our new For Consumer section and job posting (under the About Us tab), and be sure to visit our Virtual Parade of Homes. Or, give us a call Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 440-934-1090.

Homeownership is truly a cornerstone of the American way of life. North Coast Building Industry – Come Build with Us!