By Elias Brito, Resource Manager

Time to take it to the next level! Are you a great candidate for the next construction job that opens up? Do you make sure that every project you work on gives your construction career more leverage? Your value as a craftsman lies in the skillset you develop. The more knowledge and experience you gain, the more you increase the chances of getting the jobs you want. Keep in mind that contractors are constantly looking for tradespeople who know what they are doing and who are doing it well. With that said, your main focus must always be to improve your construction skills and professional advantage. Take a look at how to go about it.

Put Safety First
In construction, safety goes first and foremost. Don’t make the mistake of trying to improve your construction skills and find a construction job without safety being your foundation. This must be your number one priority before ever setting foot on an assignment and also throughout your construction career. It is important to adhere to safety standards and guidelines but also to stay current with safety on an ongoing basis. Look for safety certifications such as OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 that demonstrate your continued focus on safety and separate you from other candidates in the eyes of contractors and hiring managers.

Keep Training
Always remember that training and knowledge do not end the day you graduate from trade school. In construction every project is a new challenge that has a lot to teach, even to the most skilled tradespeople. There is always room for improvement. Continue to look for training programs and seminars that enable you to improve your construction skills. Equipment or techniques that are new and cutting-edge today might be old and outdated tomorrow. If you want to make a difference and be a contractor’s first choice you need to keep sharpening your skillset.

Stay Well-Informed
How do you stay connected with your industry? How do you know what construction skills you need to improve to master in your field? Do you find out about change at the last minute or are you actively looking for new practices? With that said you must stay on top of your field and try to be as informed as possible. Read construction journals and blogs and follow industry leaders and pioneering companies to get the latest information on change. Attend networking events to learn firsthand about industry developments and find out how you can improve your construction skills for a smooth adjustment.

Seek Opportunities for Improvement
Keep in mind that you don’t need to improve your construction skills only before joining an organization. You can do so while working for a contractor. The labor shortage has driven many construction companies to provide apprenticeships and training programs as a way to attract and retain tradespeople. Put these firms on top of your list when looking for new opportunities. Take advantage of such initiatives to develop your skillset and boost your construction career. Make it a priority to work with professionals who are willing to invest in your success by offering you the chance to become part of their success.

Turn to a Construction Staffing Firm
Your ultimate goal as a tradesman must be to find a construction job that matches your qualifications and at the same time enables you to improve your construction skills. The best people who can help you do that are construction recruiters. They deal with construction companies on a daily basis and they know the needs and demands of the construction industry. This allows them to quickly point out a candidate’s potential for improvement and bring them up to speed. In other words, the moment you decide to work with a construction staffing firm you assign yourself a career agent who is dedicated in your success.

Key Takeaways to How to Enhance Your Construction Skills:
1.  Make safety the cornerstone of your construction skills
2.  Never stop looking for training opportunities that allow you to improve
3.  Stay current with industry trends and developments
4.  Work for firms that offer apprenticeships and training programs for career improvement
5.  Partner with a construction staffing firm to improve your skillset

About TradeSource
Founded in 1993, TradeSource is a construction labor solutions firm focused on delivering labor solutions to contractors throughout the United States. By supplying skilled tradespeople – where and when they’re needed – we help contractors grow their companies, without the associated costs and hassles of full-time hires. Likewise, we match qualified employees with rewarding and well-paying job opportunities in the construction industry. www.tradesource.com