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For those attracted to the rough-and-tumble action of working with their hands in a trade, the idea of pursuing formal, classroom-based career training might inspire little more than a quizzical look. But as the construction industry rushes toward new heights of unprecedented growth, the opportunity to develop rewarding and potentially lucrative careers awaits those whose skills have been tested, proven and continually developed through training.
"Construction is going to grow unlike anything we've ever seen over the next 20 to 25 years," says Don Whyte, president of the Florida-based National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), a nonprofit foundation spearheading the development of standardized training curricula. "At the same time, our industry is facing a critical shortage of skilled labor -- every year we need to replace 250,000 workers just to stay at even. But the only way you can have truly skilled workers is if you train them."
What Training Involves
Combining classroom studies, written and practical testing and comprehensive hands-on experience, training in the trades revolves around helping trainees acquire and deepen the skill sets necessary to progress in their profession. Documented credentials are awarded to those who successfully complete the training.
In the past, unions took on the bulk of responsibility for training, but with organized labor now only representing about 15 percent of all trade workers, the onus has shifted to both the individual and private companies.
"[Before,] you'd have apprenticeships through unions that could last two to four years, mandatory requirements for on-the-job training or traditional craft training," says Whyte. "But there are now many different entry points and opportunities out there," including high school vocational programs, community colleges and local trade organizations as well as progressive contracting companies' own training programs.
Training Creates Value
"If someone is trained, they are a more valuable employee," says J. Ronald Blount, project director for Retirement Systems of Alabama. "From an employer's standpoint, it's important to know that when you hire a journeyman, you're actually getting one -- not someone who says they're a journeyman." In other words, training allows potential employers to rest assured that you are, as Blount puts it, "for real."
In trades requiring a license or compliance with extensive government regulations, training is even more crucial. "Training and performance have always been the path to success, but training is becoming even more important to the existing workforce because of all the regulations involved," says Richard Cerenzio, vice president of Carson, California-based Welltech National Training Systems.
Because of the industry's labor shortage, it is vitally important for companies to have well-instructed, satisfied workers who will stay for the long haul. "We're looking for workforce development," Cerenzio explains. "We're trying to give our workers a true career, not just a job."
Training Can Mean a Higher Salary
"Who likes money? Raise your hand," says Wayne J. Griffin with a laugh. He is president of Massachusetts-based Wayne J. Griffin Electric, a 27-year-old company that has created and implemented an internal training system. "You can't force your employees to want to be trained. But training will help [them] make money. And I don't know anybody who doesn't want to make more money."
Whyte agrees. "Training makes you more employable, which helps you set yourself up on a career path where you can go from craft to foreman to supervisor," he says. "In this industry, there are many careers out there, and the opportunities for management are tremendous. It's possible that you could even go on to start your own company. Getting the training you need to be successful is the key."
