Building Trades & Apprenticeship Training Management Careers in Construction Other Related Construction Careers Basic Skills Recommendations Scholarships K-12 Construction Career Programs & Events Construction is one of the largest industries in the world. Construction workers build our bridges and roads, our places of employment and entertainment, our schools, and our homes. More than ever, we need skilled, trained and dedicated workers to maintain the high level quality that goes into each union construction project. Careers in union construction not only provide a good living (wages and benefits), but also an opportunity to work in a hands-on, diverse environment. Each construction career requires training through an apprenticeship program, college, or both. Construction careers fall into several categories – labor, management, and other related careers– although many workers move easily from one to another. Building Trades & Apprenticeship Training Trades people (the labor) are the backbone of the unionized construction industry, bringing high tech skills and experience to each project. While there are several ways to become a skilled construction tradesperson, the most common, comprehensive and preferred route is through an apprenticeship program. A construction apprentice prepares for a craft or trade by going through two to five years of on-the-job and classroom training. At the completion of an apprenticeship program, the apprentice earns “journeyman” status and receives scale wages and benefits. Union construction apprenticeship programs adhere to strict standards monitored by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT), U.S. Department of Labor. Curriculum is rigorous and comprehensive. To apply for an apprenticeship program, individuals must meet certain qualifications. Basic requirements often include the following: be 17 or 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or G.E.D., have reliable transportation, have a valid driver’s license, be physically able to perform the work, and reside in local jurisdiction. Applicants may also be asked to pass a drug test, pass a basic skills and/or math test, and interview. Each tradesperson receives scale wages and benefits as negotiated by each trade with area contractors. These benefit packages allow trades people to draw a good salary, prepare for retirement, and take care of their family health needs. Please see Wage Rates at West Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council for a current list of local wage rates. An experienced tradesperson can become a business agent or officer for his/her trade union, working to keep union members employed, negotiating contracts for wages and benefits, and bringing new members into the union. Trades people may also choose to become instructors and coordinators for their apprenticeship training programs. For a list of area contractors who hire union trades people, go to the Union Construction Contractors Directory. For a brief description of individual apprenticeship programs and contact information go to Apprenticeship Information at West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council. For comprehensive information about each apprenticeship program, including a description of the trade, a program description, program entrance requirements, wage information, recommended preparatory classes, working conditions, abilities desired, and contact information, download the Union Building Trades Apprenticeship Program Book. For more information about individual trades and their unions in west central Illinois, go to Building Trades & Unions under Links. Management Careers in Construction Contractors are the companies hired by owners to complete building projects. They provide management, coordination, equipment and supplies, as well as hire labor to complete each project. Management careers often require a Bachelor’s degree in project management or engineering. Many in management positions begin in the trades and gradually move into supervisory or management roles. Examples of management careers: Chief Executive Officer/President/Vice President Division Manager Engineer Estimator Foreman Marketing Manager Owner of a Construction Company Project Manager Purchasing Agent Safety Director Sales Associate/Business Development Superintendent For a list of area contractors who hire union trades people, go to the Union Construction Contractors Directory. Other Related Construction Careers The construction on the job site cannot happen without additional support and guidance. Some of the following careers may also fall under labor or management careers. They each require a certain set of skills and education. Accountant/Bookkeeper Administrative/Clerical Staff Architect/Designer Director of Industry Association Engineer: field, civil, architectural, electrical, mechanical, structural Information Technology/Systems Specialist Supplier Basic Skills Recommendations Those considering a construction career should begin as soon as possible to attain the skills necessary to be a successful construction worker – even in elementary school. The single most important skill category required by all construction careers is MATH. The following subjects support construction industry careers: Math (minimum basics, Algebra, and Geometry) English Science Physics Industrial Technology Courses Specific math skills to study include: Adding and subtracting fractions Calculating a decimal equivalent of a fraction Understanding word problems Estimating Rounding numbers Solving ratio problems Calculating percentages Finding area of polygons Finding volume Calculating area Finding the angle and sides of triangles Using metric and standard types of measurements Identifying various geometric shapes In addition to these skills, construction workers must be able to adapt to various work environments, communicate with co-workers and clients, and have a strong commitment to quality through hard work and continued self-improvement. Scholarships TRICON sponsors two annual Illinois Central College Foundation Scholarships of $500 each. Applicants must demonstrate a desire to enter a construction industry career and be enrolled in a construction-related curriculum. For more information and to apply, go the Illinois Central College. K-12 Construction Career Programs & Events High School Construction Industry Work-Based Learning Program | 8th Grade Construction Industry Career Expo Women in Construction Day | Construction Industry Educator Job Shadow | Career Fairs & Presentations | Materials & Resources TRICON and the unionized construction industry believe in reaching youth with career opportunities in the construction industry. The following programs and resources are available to students and schools throughout Central Illinois. Please also see Events, Products, and Services for additional information. High School Construction Industry Work-Based Learning Program This award-winning program, coordinated by the Peoria Educational Region For Employment and Career Training (P.E.R.F.E.C.T.), provides junior and senior high school students with hands-on training in various construction careers. Level I students attend all-day training sessions at area apprenticeship schools. Level II students participate in non-paid internships at least 10 hours per week with area union contractors. Throughout the entire program, students are required to take construction courses at their home high schools. This program is competency-based; students attain real skills towards construction careers. Program completers may opt for placement and/or assistance in entering area apprenticeship and college-level programs. TRICON and P.E.R.F.E.C.T. received a 2002 Connections Award of Distinction for this program. 8th Grade Construction Industry Career Expo The award-winning, annual Construction Industry Career Expo allows approximately 1,200 Central Illinois 8th graders to experience various construction careers in a hands-on environment. Students rotate through different booths where they get information about careers and enjoy engaging activities like operating a jack-hammer, pounding nails, wiring a circuit, putting up wallpaper, cutting pipe, and raising the bucket of a back hoe. The event is coordinated through a partnership committee representing business, industry and education. The public is welcome to attend. Women in Construction Day TRICON co-sponsors an annual Women In Construction Day for 9th and 10th grade female students. The one-day event includes a combination of women speakers from the industry, career information, hands-on activities, lunch, and a job site tour. The event coincides with National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) activities to promote women in the construction industry. Construction Industry Educator Job Shadow TRICON co-sponsors the Construction Industry Educator Job Shadow held each year in June. The event gives up to 25, K-12 educators a weeklong introduction to the union construction industry. Educators enjoy job site visits, hands-on activities at apprenticeship schools and career information they can take back to their schools. TRICON and P.E.R.F.E.C.T. received a 2001 Connections Award of Distinction for this successful event. Career Fairs & Presentations Construction industry representatives are available to present construction career information to students and set up displays at school career fairs. TRICON is also available to highlight its many workforce development programs at local, state and national conferences. Materials & Resources TRICON attempts to provide area schools with current information about construction industry careers. Materials distributed to area school districts include videos, lesson plans, apprenticeship program and trade descriptions, and information about programs available to students and educators. These materials may be housed in several locations in each school or district: the guidance office, the industrial technology department, the Tech Prep coordinator’s office, the administrative office(s), and in the school library. The following organizations also house information about construction industry careers: Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), P.E.R.F.E.C.T., Tazewell County/Area EFE, Central Illinois Vocational Education Consortium (CIVEC), Tech Prep Consortium of Central Illinois, and the Workforce Network. Please see Products for a description and to request career information materials. Please see Links for a list of websites and potential resources for additional career information. Building Trades & Apprenticeship Training | Management Careers in Construction Other Related Construction Careers | Basic Skills Recommendations | Scholarships | K-12 Construction Career Programs & Events      home | about us | news | events | better built | careers | products | services | links | contact us TRICON is a non-profit labor-management council dedicated to strengthening the union construction industry in Central Illinois. Copyright © 2002. Tri-County Construction Labor-Management Council. All rights reserved. Email info@palmtricon.org. Powered by Stellar Systems, Inc..