Why You Should Consider a Career in Construction

Whether you’re looking for a career change or are just getting started on your career path, now’s the perfect time to get involved in construction.The industry has been grappling with major shortages when it comes to labour. And with over 257,000 workers expected to retire in the next ten years, the demand for employees will only increase.

Here are 4 benefits you can expect from a career in construction:

Great Salary

In Canada, construction labourers are paid an average of $40,000 a year. More experienced workers can expect to make nearly $60,000 a year. Many firms also provide paid training and full benefits to their employees. Construction managers can even make $90,000 a year without having a college degree — although some firms do consider it a job requirement.

Career Stability

While employees in other industries face layoffs and downsizing, a career in construction is a stable choice. There will always be a demand for construction and BuildForce Canada predicts that this demand will be particularly high over the next decade. This is due to an increase in residential projects and major projects in the public transportation, institutional infrastructure, and energy and utilities sectors.

Job Satisfaction

Since you spend most of your time at work, job satisfaction is an important factor. According to a recent survey, 86% of manual labour workers are “satisfied” with their jobs, while 91% are “proud” of what they do. A Best Industry Ranking Report by TINYpulse even listed Construction as the number one Happy Industry Ranking back in 2015. The variety of projects and outdoor aspects of the job help to keep workers happy and engaged.

Career Opportunities

A big chunk of the industry will retire over the next decade. A little over 20% of the entire construction labour force in Canada, to be exact. That is a huge percentage, which means there will be many senior positions up for grabs. If you start your construction career now and play your cards right, you can get promoted in no time. And if working for someone else isn’t your thing, you can always go on to start your own construction business after learning the ropes.

What interests you most about a career in construction? Let us know in the comments below.