Construction has never been an easy job. To work effectively in construction, you need a varied skillset. Construction worker skills aren’t like what you’d find in an office worker, salesperson, or restaurant worker.
To work in a successful commercial construction company, there are certain construction skills most valued in the industry. Master these construction worker skills and you’ll be better off long-term, setting yourself up for success, strong work performances, and recognition.
These are the top ten construction worker skills and characteristics:
1. Construction knowledge skills
Knowledge in building and mechanics is an essential construction worker skill. If a person doesn’t know what’s expected of them in a role or how to complete a job, they shouldn’t be on site. Thankfully, there are apprenticeships and plenty of training courses to acquire building and mechanics knowledge.
2. Technology skills
Tech advancements are changing the way we construct buildings and infrastructure. A construction worker must be ready to learn and adapt. There are new software, apps, devices, and equipment coming down the pike, without question. The workers who are able to learn quickly and put new technology to use will be those who succeed.
3. Physical skills
Construction, no matter what role you play in it, is very physical. You need physical strength and the endurance or stamina to last a shift. This is an absolute necessity. A worker who can’t do the job physically isn’t going to get far. Not everyone is cut out for physical labor. That said, some workers may find themselves applying other sills to make up for a lack of physical strength.
Regardless, physical requirements are something any and every construction worker needs. Anyone who doesn’t already have this strength and stamina should work on acquiring it.
4. Mathematic skills
Yes, construction does actually require a fair bit of math. You don’t have to be a mathematician, but math might be one of the more overlooked construction worker skills. The average construction worker regularly does basic math to ensure they have the right building materials and that they are fulfilling their roles.
A construction worker should also be able to read and write math. Documentation is another part of the job on construction crews and even a small math mistake can result in consequences in cost, schedule, and management.
5. Critical reasoning skills
Critical reasoning helps a construction worker know when something is not right and how to work around it. The ability to identify hazards and troubleshoot quickly can oftentimes save time, money, and even prevent safety accidents. Critical reasoning for a construction worker ensures they don’t need constant supervision to do their work.
Any problem they encounter, they have it handled. Critical reasoning builds upon knowledge however which can take time to develop. Understandably, no superintendent wants a construction worker who resolves problems with ineffective, inappropriate, or dangerous solutions.
6. Coordination skills
A construction worker needs to be able to coordinate others and work within a coordinated dynamic. Crew, supplies, and equipment all need to be organized. For any aspiring superintendent, seek opportunity to coordinate. This can signify to those around you your leadership. Someone who is able to coordinate in construction can have a long career in the industry.
7. Communication skills
Communication skills in construction are highly, highly valued. To be able to write and speak to others clearly and effectively is a great construction skill. Written communication is key, as sometimes emails, texts, and documentation needs to be authored and sent. On the job, a construction worker might also have to communicate roles and responsibilities to others. An ineffective communicator is not going to be very prosperous in construction. If you’re a construction worker and this isn’t a skill you have, develop it!
8. Construction knowledge skills
Construction has many different facets to it and although a lot of it can be repetitive, a construction worker’s always picking up on new skills, methods, technologies, tools, and responsibilities. Workers are forced to learn new skills to stay up to date.
Thankfully, a worker who maintains a student mentality and who is able to expand their construction worker skillset only create more value for themselves. Learning new construction worker skills makes you even more essential to your crew, knowledgeable and productive.
9. Organization skills
Construction sticks to a schedule. At any given moment, you need to be ready to go. Time and resources are valuable, and neither can be wasted on the construction site. Organization will impact a construction job like no other skill. You won’t know how important it truly is until you suddenly don’t have it. A construction worker should know what’s expected of them, both individually and as a team, and work hard to get the job done according to plan.
10. Teamwork skills
On the construction site, a team needs to work together to accomplish a goal. When a team member doesn’t perform up to standard, it lowers the whole team performance. As a team player, a construction worker is challenged to not only ensure they fulfill their role but also to assist others who may be struggling. When you work well with others and you develop that camaraderie, you’ll find that it benefits all stakeholders.