The construction industry can be an enormously rewarding place to build a career. Whatever job you’re doing within the industry, there are a few key skills you’ll want to pick up. These will form the foundation of your overall skill set and the platform you need to thrive.
Technical Skills
Naturally, among the most important skills you’ll pick up are the technical ones. You’ll need to be able to follow instructions, obey the rules, and perform the tasks. That often means learning to read blueprints, familiarising yourself with the relevant building regulations, and being able to operate tools. Knowing the difference between the tools and accessories at your disposal can be hugely helpful. For example, you’ll need to know the difference between a concrete drill bit and the various alternatives. Fail to select the right tool for the job, and you’ll never get the results you hope for!
Health and Safety Training
A construction site is a risky place to be. To thrive, therefore, you’ll need to be aware of all the hazards around you, and you’ll need to understand how to mitigate them. That means being proactive and seeking to deal with threats before they inflict any damage. Regular risk assessments can reduce the likelihood of an accident, while personal protective equipment (PPE) can minimise the damage caused by one. With some training in first aid, you’ll also be able to effectively deal with that damage.
Communication and Teamwork
Construction is, by its nature, an extremely collaborative industry. You’ll need to work alongside many different specialised tradespeople. Being able to talk to them effectively is critical. Knowing how to resolve conflicts, raise questions, and simply chat about site activities is critical.
Continuous Learning and Adaptability
The construction industry has undergone massive changes over the last few decades. The introduction of various technologies, as well as new techniques and methods, has revolutionised the work of just about every professional.
It’s likely that the pace of change will only accelerate, as advances in battery technology and artificial intelligence find their way onto the construction site. As such, workers will need to be adaptable, and willing to learn about these new things. Training should be viewed as a career-long pursuit, rather than a quick fix.
In many cases, there are methods for doing simple tasks that you might not even be aware of, but which you’ll never discover unless you’re relentlessly curious about them. In some cases, you can achieve superior results by tweaking your approach just a little bit. Social media can actually be a powerful source of inspiration when it comes to everyday productivity ‘hacks’ on site. Just be aware that it’s also a powerful source of extremely bad advice and information, too!
