What Skills Sets or Traits Are Important in This Industry?

Professionals in the heavy construction industry suggest that someone in this field have the following personal character traits or skills:

• Comfortable working outdoors and getting dirty — While not for everyone, most jobs in the construction industry require a certain amount of time outside on job sites that are often dusty or muddy. But this also means you don’t have to wear a suit to work! (Most employees wear jeans and work boots on the job.)
• Working with your hands — Most people who are successful in construction are good at working with their hands and enjoy activities such as home repair and maintenance, yard work or gardening, building things, vehicle maintenance and repair and so forth.
• Comfortable with technology — Heavy construction equipment continues to get more high-tech; therefore, someone who’ll be successful in this field should be willing to learn new technologies and be comfortable using computerized tools and equipment.
• Communications skills — Most heavy construction work is done in teams, and requires people to be able to read, write and communicate information effectively to others.
• Ability to adhere to safety guidelines — People who work with heavy machinery must be able to learn and follow all safety protocols and stay alert on job sites to prevent accidents. All workers on a site must wear required safety gear, such as hard hats, protective glasses and safety vests.