3 Unique Pieces Of Advice For People New To The Construction Industry
As any construction project manager will tell you, no two jobs are the same, and each will come with their own challenges and hurdles. This is part of what makes the industry rewarding, as you will constantly grow as a professional and be better equipped to dealing with a whole range of new situations. This article is directed at rookies in the construction industry who are looking to make the most out of their work and advance fast. These tips will start to build that platform you need to be able to deal with the rigours of the construction industry and make you a more complete professional.
Commercial Concreting
The foundation of most new buildings, concrete is an important building material, and your familiarity with it will be an extremely important tool throughout your career. When you contact a commercial concreting company you should already have planned out exactly what you need from them including the amount needed, proposed area, labour required and the state of the subgrade (the soil that will be underneath the concrete). There are many different commercial concrete contractors on the market and you should evaluate which one you think will be able to complete the task to a high quality, as cost efficiently as possible. Do this through the experience you have already built up in the industry or, if you are completely new, ask a senior member of your construction team for companies they recommend. Reliable contractors are always highly sought after and once you establish a connection with one you should keep your business relationship with them a constant priority.
People Management Skills
No matter what rung you are in the construction industry ladder you will always need to have excellent communication and management skills. The industry is all about building relationships, as aforementioned, and if you expect to get big commercial projects done to a high standard, you need a good team. It is never too early to start building contacts for all areas of the construction industry. Be patient with new people and practice your ability to express yourself eloquently; you want people to understand exactly what you mean when dealing with precise instructions.
Safety Is Priority
Construction sites and building projects can be a dangerous place with various tools and materials surrounded by fast moving workers. You should familiarise yourself with Safe Work Australia's advice on the construction industry, especially the 'Further Advice' section on the state or territory you live in. You also need to familiarise yourself with OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) and its rules and regulations in regards to the construction industry. Every new site will have different challenges for safety and you should bare that in mind when you begin to work there. Think about how a slope in the ground or the lack of drainage could affect the building site and put steps in place to minimise these risks. Basically, this all comes down to doing your work as safely as possible and decreasing risks around construction sites.
While these are three different pieces of advice on the construction industry they represent two different aspects of the industry. Practical building advice and tips on how to approach your colleagues as well as the theoretical side involved in keeping a workplace safe and what constitutes an unsafe workspace. As long as you are actively employed in this industry you should look to expand and update your knowledge on both the practical and theoretical sides of your chosen job.