Working in construction takes a pretty diverse set of skills. Skills that most people think are “basic”. Construction work isn’t about tearing objects down and swinging a hammer. The most successful tradespeople and craftsmen have learned to leverage their entire skillset. Do you have your eyes on the prize?

Earning promotions or kickstarting your own construction business begins with learning and applying the most fundamental construction skills first. 

Here are 7 essential skills every construction worker needs to have a successful career.

Physical strength and stamina

Working in construction means working physically demanding jobs that require more strength and stamina than the average Joe. Physical labour and tasks are unavoidable in construction, so a great foundation for strength and stamina is considered an asset. This doesn’t mean you have to be the strongest person in your crew. Those who have other skills and talents can be great at less strength-focused construction tasks. Having the proper strength and stamina to work throughout a full day of construction and lift objects is a key skill.

Communication, coordination, and working well with others

If you want to succeed and go far in construction, then being able to communicate and work with others is important. These are basic skills that we learn in the workplace, on sports teams, and in a classroom. People like working with strong leaders and leaders have a proven track record of great communication and teamwork skills. Being able to coordinate with your crewmembers, suppliers, equipment operators, and other tradespeople can mean more career opportunities.

Basic math and language literacy

Basic math and language skills are a must-have when working in construction. This plays into your ability to communicate and coordinate with others. Basic math and some algebra help with estimating how much material you might need for a certain task. Measuring, cutting, and placing materials would require you to be as precise as possible to reduce waste. Documenting and writing notes about any changes you made to a project ensures your entire team is on the same page as you. Being able to read other people’s measurements and notes are fundamental to completing tasks. There is a lot more math used in day-to-day construction than you would think.

Open to learning new ideas

With technology growing at an accelerated pace, there are always going to be new methods and techniques to help you finish tasks more efficiently. The most skilled construction workers are the ones who are open to learning new skills and ideas. Keeping up-to-date with certifications or learning new concepts on your own time shows you have the drive to succeed. Learning new concepts and ideas can also position you as a leader. 

How? 

If you’re the only person on a crew that learned how to use a specific tool, technique, or protocol, then you’ll stick out to the supervisors around you. They may ask you to teach others to make the entire crew more productive.

Organization and cleanliness

Knowing where you’ve placed materials, tools, and equipment will prevent you from spending too much time getting prepared for the day. Having the skills to be clean and organized in your workspace is a valuable yet underappreciated skill. Your crewmates and supervisor will definitely notice if you are organized and ready to work. These skills aren’t necessarily groundbreaking, but you will quickly find out that everyone enjoys working with an organized person.

Problem-solving, reasoning, and critical thinking

A job site can be an unpredictable environment to work on. Materials can be damaged by the weather, tools can go missing, and tasks can be delayed. What happens in these situations is that you might have to think critically to find a solution. There are reasons why you may experience hiccups in a project, so having quick problem-solving and reasoning skills is important. Having these skills is important when you are working with others, as you may need to reason and solve problems with your crew.

Trade specific and technological skills

This points to why we are experiencing labor shortage issues across North America. Trade-specific and technological skills are what differentiates construction workers from each other. Whether you are new to construction or not, having a trade-specific skillset is extremely valuable to the construction companies you work with. 

There are various trades that you can pursue. For example, trades like framing carpentry, finish carpentry, and concrete forming are in high demand. Having skills within these trades and knowing how to apply the technological skills for each can mean a lucrative construction career.

The more specialized you are in a trade, the higher your earning potentials can be. Combine years of knowledge with the other skills listed above, and your chances for a promotion can skyrocket.

Level up your construction skills

Whether you are just breaking into the construction industry, or you are looking for a specific trade the Faber Work platform can introduce you to opportunities to level up your construction skills. When you actively work towards improving or learning skills, then the more likely you are to succeed in the construction industry.

Interested in trying out the Faber Work platform to land your next construction gig? Sign up and start building up your construction skills today.