Educators: CCF Careers page has everything students need to explore a career in construction over winter break (or any time of year)
For students who want access to clear, accurate information about pursuing a career in the construction trades after high school, the Careers page on www.constructioncareers.org is a great place to start.
For many high school students, winter break is a time to relax and unwind. However, it’s also the perfect time for students to reflect on their long-term goals. When the semester is in full swing, homework is due, and extracurriculars take over evenings, it can be hard to find the time to think about one’s future. With limited schoolwork demands over winter break, high school students are free to get curious about what they’d like to do once homework is a thing of the past.
For students who want to find clear, accurate, and relevant information about pursuing a career in the construction trades after high school, resourcing the careers page on www.constructioncareers.org, is a great place to start.
This free resource breaks 30+ construction career paths into three categories: floor and wall trades, mechanical and electrical trades, site preparation trades, and other trades.
Under each trade, you’ll find:
Starting wage and journey level wage – Students can compare average beginning-of-career and peak-of-career wages between trades to see which best aligns with their expectations.
Career requirements – Some trades require a high school diploma or GED, a driver’s license, and reliable transportation for entry.
Trade description – A student might think they know, for example, what a career in plumbing entails, but there is much more that goes into each trade than meets the eye. This section describes what a trade actually involves, such as working at heights, working indoors or outdoors, types of projects you’ll work on, what stage of the project you’ll work on, if travel is involved, physical strength requirements, and more.
Apprenticeship pathway – Each trade requires a different level of training of apprentices. For example, a sheet metal worker apprenticeship in the state of Minnesota is typically four years long, while a laborer apprenticeship usually lasts anywhere from two to three years.
Trade school pathway – Do you have a student who is interested in a career in construction, but knows they want to pursue higher education first? This section details what options are available for students who would like to achieve further education before entering a career in construction.
Military pathway – Time spent in the military is an incredible asset when entering a career in construction. Students who want to serve their country prior to entering a full-time career can learn more about the great options available here.
Tools needed – Oftentimes, construction professionals are required to own and care for their own tools. It’s always best to be prepared – students can take a look at this list and decide if the tools needed for any given trade are an investment they’d like to make.
And more.
(Perhaps most) importantly, each career page features information that is relevant to students based on where they are at. Recommended high school classes and key skills show students what they can do right now to set themselves up for success in a career in each trade.
Most careers pages also feature success stories from current apprentices in any given trade, so they can see real-life examples of construction professionals (not much older than they are) who are thriving in their chosen trade.
Jobsites are big. Dream bigger. Listen to Mariah Lenon’s construction experience.
So, before sending students away for winter break, make sure your students have this helpful resource in their back pocket. Visit the careers page here.
Construction Careers Foundation: Resources for Educators, Students, Parents, and More
The careers page is just one of the many resources available on www.ConstructionCareers.org. Visit the website today to view available internships, educator resources, and more hands-on construction career exploration opportunities catered to K-12 students.