Construction is a massive industry in the United States and continues to grow each year. It is one of those sectors that is fairly consistent with its growth since society always needs new roads, new buildings, and repairs on existing structures.
In the state of Georgia, construction can be a very successful career path for the right person. Maybe you like the idea of working with your hands and want to find an outlet for this desire. Perhaps you are simply looking for a career switch to a role with reliable job security and decent pay.
Getting involved in the construction industry will take a little bit of work, but the benefits are well worth it. Let’s dive a little deeper into what it looks like to be in construction in the state of Georgia.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship
There are two main paths to building a career as a contractor in the construction industry. One option is a more formalized education, while the other dives right into practical learning. Each has its pros and cons.
Trade School
When you attend a trade school, it might take about two years to finish your degree in a specific discipline. During your time, you will learn a lot about the theories and science behind various types of construction and will be paying tuition to do so. Tuition for trade schools is much cheaper than it is for other degrees at colleges and universities. Additionally, when you go to a trade school, there are no general education requirements that must be achieved before you dive into the subject of focus. Every course is geared toward preparing you for a career in your chosen field.
Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is sort of like an internship. Instead of going to a trade school for formal education, you seek out the mentorship of an established professional in your chosen discipline. For several years, you will learn under this person, diving right into the practical realities of their day-to-day tasks. In an apprenticeship, you can earn a modest income during that time until you are ready to seek regular employment. Also, the effectiveness of your experience depends entirely on the knowledge and teaching methods of the person you are apprenticing for.
Licensing
Once you have completed your educational path, you will need to become a licensed contractor to start accepting work at a professional level. In this state, you will need to study for these licensing exams and will only be able to work if you pass. For example, taking a preparation test before the actual one can help you get the Georgia general contractor license on your first try. The specific test looks different depending on which field of study you are pursuing, as there are different licenses for plumbers, electricians, GCs, HVAC specialists, and more.
Finding a Job
Once your education is complete and a license has been obtained, you are free to pursue employment in the construction industry. In Georgia, there are over 5,000 GCs, each of which may employ multiple subcontractors. In Atlanta alone, almost 80,000 workers are involved in the construction industry, with about 220,000 being employed across the state in total. This demonstrates how many opportunities there are for contractors. You could try to land a position with one of those GCs, or you could become an independent contractor who works for themselves. For some professionals, this could start as a side hustle, which is a great way to save a couple hundred bucks a month, but it can eventually turn into a full-time position where you are your own boss and can choose every client you work with. At the moment, there is a massive wave of older construction workers set to retire within the next decade, so GCs are desperately seeking out younger professionals to replenish those ranks.
Advancing Your Career
Although you can make a good salary rather quickly in construction, one of the drawbacks in the industry is that there is not a ton of upward mobility. Once you have your license and start working as a contractor, your salary cap is limited. The only way to advance is to become a project manager or a general contractor yourself. There are some opportunities for advancement, but many workers in the construction industry end up sticking with their initial positions for a long time.
Construction is a Unique Industry with Versatile Job Offerings
Construction as an industry in the United States is expected to grow consistently for the next few years. That means it will have a consistent need for new workers, especially with the large number of soon-to-be retirees currently in the workforce. With the vast number of disciplines involved in this sector, plenty of young professionals and even adults seeking new careers can find trades that suit their tastes.
