Hot Tip -- by Judy Sprigings

The construction industry offers many diverse career options. However, choosing the path leading to a rewarding construction career can become an overwhelming, and at times, intimidating experience. To maintain a positive attitude, remember, instant overnight success is not possible. Obtaining longer-term career goals, such as apprenticing to be a journeyman, requires planning, patience, and recognizing opportunities for growth and learning. Build your career momentum by creating smaller stepping stones leading toward a career goal you wish to obtain in the next five years.

Read the following hints, and start your career action plan for the construction industry today.

1. Prepare a resume summarizing your skills that are transferable to the construction industry. Employers are looking for employees who may be able to show they are mechanically inclined, have accurate mathematical skills, and have small hand tool experience. Did you take any courses in high school, such as drafting, electronics, automotives, woodworking, or construction? Do you have training courses such as WHMIS, H2S, or first aid? Are you able to read blueprints?
li>Sign up with a temporary services agency. While you are looking for an apprenticeship opportunity, working for a temp services agency is very advantageous. Temp agency work can provide you with an income, practical experience for your resume, and perhaps even a reference. You will gain exposure to different types of companies and different work environments. This type of work may even help you decide which construction trade is best suited to your career interests.
2. Obtain a driver's license. As construction sites are not always accessible by city transit, it is a good idea to consider saving money over the next year for the purchase of a personal vehicle. In the meantime, if you do not have a driver's license, then take steps to obtain one. Employers often ask new employees to use company vehicles to deliver materials to the work sites.
3. Conduct some career research. These questions may help decide which trades are better suited to your goals. What would you like to be doing in five years? Do you prefer indoor or outdoor work? Would you like to work in an office or would you like to be doing field work? Do you like to work with wood, metal, wires, or glass? Do you prefer "hands on " work or are you more interested in technical work, such as computer related projects? Would you like to be a manager? Do you like customer service work?

Pick out some occupations that interest you. Then, start your research by looking up career profiles at this website for Alberta Advanced Education and Career Development: www.alberta-learning.ab.ca/occinfo.

4. Know the educational requirements of the occupation. Although not all trades require a Grade 12 education, many employers strongly encourage their employees to obtain a high school diploma. A high school diploma opens more doors to construction industry careers.