Labor Day is set aside each year as a celebration and tribute to American workers of all professions. It also marks the beginning of the new school year, when many students begin thinking about their future career paths.

Unfortunately, far too few people consider the construction industry simply because they do not understand the great opportunity it offers.  Construction is experiencing massive worker shortages in the skilled trades.  Demand is at an all-time high and projected to get worse as many approach retirement.

Today’s average carpenter is 55, HVAC technician 56.  The average apprentice is 36!  As in all industries, with high labor demand comes job security and good wages.  Again, far too few people realize that the average pay for today’s construction workers exceeds that of most college graduates and training is typically paid for by the employer.  Are there ANY local corporations paying for people to get college degrees these days?  The choice is yours – high college debt and a possible job or a guaranteed career that pays more with zero long term debt.

In addition to better pay and job security, construction offers higher levels of job satisfaction, i.e. happiness.  Earlier this year, a survey found that construction workers are the happiest employees of any industry. Why? It comes from the satisfaction found from finishing every day saying, “I built that”, bettering our communities, safe working conditions, consistent training, and continued growth.  No two days are the same, not a daily grind; but a consistent rewarding challenge.

Members of the construction industry build our schools, hospitals, hotels, stadiums and everything in between. The industry has provided fulfilling and lucrative careers to hardworking Americans for generations, and continues to play an important role in the local economy.  The time is now for an influx of new people of all shapes, sizes, genders, and races.  If you’re looking for a first career or a new one, consider all the construction industry has to offer and start with the Ohio Valley Construction Education Foundation, a local non-profit connecting people to careers.  Information on all the trades and connections to career opportunities is available at www.ovcef.org