Construction Schools

Overview

Construction work is a labor intensive job where individuals have to work in different climatic conditions. There are various jobs that are available at the construction site like foreman, supervisor, heavy machinery operator, electrician, plumber, carpenter, brick layer, concrete finisher, fencer, laborer, painter, and welder. Although there are hazards involved in construction work, there are laws that ensure the safety of the workers. The construction companies also provide safety gear to their construction workers.

Benefits

There are many benefits for construction workers, which includes good pay and health care package. Job relocation and change of roles is easier when a worker gains experience. In addition, they can choose to work either in the day or at night in order to be able spend time with their family. This makes construction work an efficient and rewarding job. On average, a construction worker is expected to earn $44,000 per annum. In addition to having a relatively high wage per hour as compared to other occupations, a construction worker can also choose to be self-employed. Working experience in the construction industry can help a construction worker advance to the level of foreman and supervisor.

Costs

The average cost of training to become a construction worker is $3,700 per semester. This is for attending a full time vocational course in a school. There are also online courses which may approximately cost $1,000 per semester.

Schools

Penn Foster College is a recognized school that offers an associate degree in construction through the distance learning mode. Online courses are offered by Construction Classes. Full time vocational courses are available in Pitt Community College and Milwaukee Area Technical College. Construction companies often take students as apprentices. An apprenticeship will serve greatly in securing a job at the entry level.

Testing & Preparation

There are no tests that students need to undertake to enroll for a course in construction. For some vocational courses though, a little preparation will be helpful. For example, an understanding of physics is an advantage for those who want to become heavy machine operators and electricians. The construction workers are also expected to have high physical stamina.

Financial Aid

There are no grants or scholarships offered by any of the schools that offer vocational courses in construction. Vocational Information Center lists the various scholarships available to students pursuing courses in construction. Federal student aid and Stafford Loans are other means of financial aid available to students. Alternatively, students can also work part time under the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program to pay for college.