Construction workers build the homes, roads, and factories that facilitate human civilization. This vital activity requires many types of knowledge, skill, and experience.
Hand Tools: Construction crafts require a variety of tools. Knowledgable workers correctly identify tools and remember how to maintain and use them safely.
Power Tools: These require even more instruction on proper use, as well as on safe-handling guidelines and maintenance.
Math: Math skills relate to the construction trades. Workers must be in command of multiple systems of measurement, decimals, fractions, and basic geometry.
Construction Drawings: Workers must understand the components of drawings and the most common drawing types. The use of drawing scales and drawings measurement are also needed knowledge.
Rigging: Construction workers are familiar with rigging and rigging hardware, such as slings, rigging hitches, and hoists. They maintain safe working habits in the vicinity of rigging operations.
Material Handling: There are many hazards associated with handling materials, and proper techniques to avoid both injury and property damage. Construction workers must be familiar with common material-handling equipment in the workplace.
Safety: Construction workers must know the common causes of workplace incidents and accidents and how to avoid them. They must be familiar with PPE, equipment required for work at height, and its proper use. Special knowledge is necessary for safety in specific environments such as in welding areas and confined spaces.
Communication: Effective communication on the job requires both written and verbal communication skills. Reading skills are needed in the construction industry. Good workers utilize a variety of different written communication formats.
Employability Skills: Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are needed daily in the construction industry. Positive social skills have great value in the workplace.
