We had the opportunity and pleasure to sit down with June Employee of the Month Carl Broome. Together, we discussed some important topics such as things to remember when working on construction jobs and what millennials can do if they want to get into the industry.
1. Carl, how did you get into construction?
Before construction, I was in human services for many years and because the field started changing, I realized it was time to find something new. I was a supervisor and I started to not enjoy my job as I didn’t want to go to work where I felt like I was restraining people. I decided that human services wasn’t really for me anymore and so I set out to find something new. I really felt like I was missing something in my life. I am very creative, and while driving around thinking about what I was going to do – I was lucky enough to come across the TradeSource building. Construction had always been something that I wanted to do so I went into the building and applied. TradeSource has helped me find great construction jobs– and the rest is history.
2. So, what is an important aspect to know about construction?
An important thing to remember when it comes to this industry is that things are constantly changing in the world of construction due to technology. I have been in this industry a long time and I still feel like a novice. I am learning every time I am on the job. People who want to get into construction and find value in the construction jobs they work at need to understand this important aspect. It is also important to realize that you are going to have to work hard and do any task asked of you to succeed in this industry. From sweeping floors to taking out the trash – there is no job too small to get the job done. It is all about working together with the other people on the job to create something wonderful. When you come onto a jobsite, if you keep an open mind with what is happening around you, you are able to learn so much from plumbing, to electricity, to carpentry and eventually find your niche.
3. Any projects that you have worked on the stand out?
There have been so many great projects that I have worked on that it is hard to choose just one. One thing I have worked on was solar panels, from building all the materials, to installing them. I also was chosen by TradeSource to go to New Jersey and install these. Another project and probably the most memorable and biggest projects for me has been working on the new Amazon building in Connecticut from the ground up, which is where I am right now. This one has intrigued me a lot because I have never worked on a building from the ground up – from demo, to excavating, to digging, to running water lines. I have worked on two other Amazon buildings before, but all the work was done on buildings that were already in place.
One thing that I was in charge of for the Amazon building project was being responsible for safety. I would go through the safety orientation and safety procedures with the sub-contractors. I would also coordinate with the sub-contractors what needed to be done on the job site. The general contractor would let me know who was needed such as the plumbers or carpenters and I would be responsible that all the work would be completed by this group. There would also be times when Amazon representatives would come in and would need to know where certain columns were, and I would show them that. The general contractor would designate a lot of tasks to me and I would take control. This would free up time for the general contractor. I really have been able to showcase my talents working at the Amazon building.
4. What do you like about working for TradeSource? And, what do you like about the recruiting team at TradeSource?
Everyone that I have worked with at TradeSource has been amazing. I felt that anything that I needed at any point, they have helped me out with the incentives and benefits such as meeting certain hours and getting bonuses based off of those hours. They treat me with complete respect and they personalize the experience of finding great construction jobs for me. They truly make me feel like part of a family and I know that I will always have work with TradeSource.
5. Any advice for millennials coming into construction?
Two words; pay attention! Everything that goes on a job site is very important to pay attention too. Millennials need to realize that some things are not going to come as quickly as they would like. They need to take their time and understand that it takes hard work and dedication to get to where they want to be. Like I mentioned before, I still feel like a novice and I am still learning a whole lot as there is so much going on at one time on a construction jobsite.
Another thing is that because technology is becoming more relevant in the field, they should take the knowledge they are learning right now and use that to be more creative, as technology is really changing the construction industry through social media and other advancements. If they take that knowledge and use it in a positive light – then the whole industry is going to be transformed.
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
