Too often, people are tricked into thinking outdated beliefs about the construction industry are true. Today, we’ll bust three of the most common construction myths with the facts. 

 

Myth #1: “The construction industry is too dangerous.”

 

Safety is a top priority in the construction industry. It’s a necessary precaution that we take pride in. Yes, working in construction does require individuals to often work with heavy machinery and to be exposed to dust and debris. But that’s why the industry has worked so hard to establish health and safety guidelines that every worker must strictly adhere to. Some of these guidelines include: 

• Laborers must complete training to operate heavy machinery and all relevant equipment. 
• Team members must go through safety training programs which help establish proper precautionary measures and direct how to manage situations when problems arise, including first aid training. 
• Everyone on the jobsite must wear protective clothing that is specific to the work being done, including eye, face and head. 

 

These safety measures protect those working on a jobsite day in and day out. But, keep in mind, the jobsite isn’t the only place to work in the construction industry. 

 

Myth #2: “The construction industry has limited opportunities.” 

 

This myth couldn’t be more wrong. We’re not sure why this assumption still reigns supreme in public opinion. Too often, people have a desire to make an impact in their communities, but they believe that they don’t have what it takes to work in construction. But we’re here to tell you that there are plenty of ways to work in construction without the stereotypical manual labor. There is a role for every type of worker in the construction industry. We need people who have: 

• The desire to climb the corporate ladder.
• Strong communication skills to lead a team. 
• The entrepreneurial savviness to run their own businesses. 
• Marketing expertise to tout construction firms’ capabilities. 
• Organizational skills that keep projects on-time and on-budget. 

 

…to name a few. 

 

Whether you study in a traditional college setting or in an earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship, there are plenty of opportunities to give you the training you need to support your natural skills and personal interests. 

 

Myth #3: Construction is a man’s industry

 

If you followed along on our blog throughout the month of march, you might already know that this myth is simply not true. Women are equally as capable as men to thrive in construction. But today, the number of men in the industry greatly outweigh the number of women. The large gender gap in the construction workforce is the result of many causes, ranging from gender bias to a lack of training.

 

While there are fewer women working in construction than many in 2021, women have a unique opportunity in construction unlike any other industry. Not only does construction offer a chance to succeed, it provides competitive pay for women. According to Payscale, women are paid at a higher percentage in construction than other industries. They found that women in the construction field make 96 cents to every dollar a man earns. This, when compared to the average across industries of only 81 cents to the dollar shows the reward that comes from excellent work in construction. 

 

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