5 Essential Qualities of Skilled Construction Workers
Skilled construction workers are in demand in today’s economy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, construction jobs are on the rise—which is good news for skilled construction workers. As businesses grow and employers continue to expand their workforces, construction jobs are projected to grow faster than average over the next decade.
In fact, the BLS anticipates that the construction industry will add more than 81,000 jobs by 2029. With the increased demand for construction workers, construction managers need to develop a team they can depend on to complete projects on time and within budget.
Must-Have Construction Skills
Here is a list of five essential skills and abilities to look for when you’re choosing proven commercial, residential and industrial construction workers.
1. Physical strength and stamina
A skilled construction laborer must perform multiple tasks at construction sites that require extensive physical labor, including lifting, climbing, bending, digging and operating hand and power tools. Look for skilled individuals with construction experience who possess physical strength and stamina.
2. Manual dexterity and coordination
Along with physical strength, construction workers must have excellent hand-eye coordination, be able to move their hands quickly and be able to grasp and assemble objects with two hands. Many jobs require sitting, standing or lying down, and skilled construction laborers must possess multi-limb coordination, or the ability to work with both arms, both legs or one leg and one arm.
3. Strong reading and math skills
It is also important for skilled construction laborers in all trades to be very attentive to a construction contractor’s specifications. They must be able to read and interpret blueprints and work-related documents. Good math skills are essential for calculating measurements and angles and for determining accurate adjustments. A good understanding of geometry helps with interpreting designs.
4. Building and mechanical knowledge
Skilled construction workers should be familiar with building materials and have experience using tools involved in the construction, repair and restoration of buildings, highways, bridges, ships and other structures. A skilled construction laborer should also have experience using mechanical tools, operating machines, and maintaining equipment.
5. Excellent vision and depth perception
Construction jobs require accuracy and precision. For this reason, it is also very important that skilled construction workers have good eyesight. They must be able to read blueprints and see details at close range, as well as from a distance. When operating machines, a skilled construction laborer must be able to see the gauges and dials to make sure everything is functioning properly and be able to perceive how near or how far to move equipment.
Quality, Skilled Construction Labor Fast
Contractors juggle numerous details when hiring skilled labor with construction experience. That’s why many contractors rely on temporary or contingent construction staffing agencies to accurately and immediately fill their construction labor needs. With one call to a construction staffing agency, you save all the time it takes to post a construction job, interview, screen and hire a construction worker. You never have to wait days for skilled labor to show up to your site. The result is increased productivity and proven, skilled craftworkers who have the skills to meet or exceed your high standards.[/et_pb_text]
The Tradesmen Advantage
With local recruiting and service support in nearly 200 markets throughout the United States, Tradesmen matches thousands of skilled construction workers to contractor-specific requests for commercial and/or industrial construction jobs on a precisely-as-needed basis. We provide contractors with talented, proven craftworkers, covering all trade types at apprentice- and journeyman-levels.
Our extensive selection process ensures that our skilled construction workers possess the safety-mindedness, knowledge, experience and certifications needed to perform their job. When you’re looking for proven, verified craftworkers with the skills to supplement your core workforce, Tradesmen offers high-quality, flexible staffing solutions you can depend on. When you’re looking for proven, verified craftworkers with the skills to supplement your core workforce, Tradesmen offers high-quality, flexible staffing solutions you can depend on.
Get Skilled, Flexible Construction Staffing Today
CORE+Flex, our tried-and-true skilled labor staffing strategy, is designed to help construction businesses thrive. With a CORE+Flex labor strategy, contractors find they can afford higher quality professionals with no sacrifice to job profitability or productivity. Contact us to get access to skilled construction labor and to receive an evaluation of your workforce strategy—starting with a no-cost labor productivity analysis.