We at I Build America – Ohio are proud of the progress the construction industry has made for our communities statewide this year. 2019 has been a successful year, thanks to our dedicated skilled tradesmen and women. Since this time last December, our crews have built incredible structures like skyscrapers and stadiums, fixed important parts of our infrastructure through both bridges and highways, and helped the families in our communities with improvements to our local schools and homes.
The Ohio construction industry’s progress this year is in part thanks to the constant forward thinking the industry upholds. At the end of every year, it’s common practice for businesses to take time for big-picture planning for the year ahead. Each organization visualizes what sort of projects they’d like to take on and plan out what steps they’ll need to take to get there – from landing the job to final completion. This isn’t setting unrealistic expectations. It’s the proper planning that’s necessary to create our shared community vision. Aside from planning, the Ohio construction industry takes time to look back on the past year before moving forward. They reflect on what worked well and what could have been improved. This combined forward-thinking and yearly reflection creates the progress we continue to see year after year.
This habit can – and should – be integrated into every person’s everyday life. Sure, you may already be planning to make New Year’s Resolutions like many Ohioans. But, if we’re being honest, those resolutions rarely stick long-term. We challenge you to do some practical planning like the construction industry does.
Did you make progress for your personal or professional life? Or, will you still be…
…paying off student debt?
You won’t if you take the skilled trade route. From the very beginning, individuals in the construction industry earn. Apprenticeships and on-the-job education
Now only will you not take on debt like the average college student, you’ll actually earn more immediately. Entry-level skilled tradesmen are paid higher than most entry-level positions earned from a traditional college or university degree.
…working toward a degree that doesn’t guarantee a career?
You won’t if you join the construction industry, as it is still in a labor shortage with an ever-growing need of employable people. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that two out of the top three fastest-growing occupations that don’t require a bachelor’s degree are from the construction industry: solar panel installer and wind turbine technician. This is in comparison to college graduates who, according to the Economic Policy Institute, “one out of every 20 young college graduates is unemployed.”
…in a job that doesn’t interest you?
This won’t be the case if you join the construction industry. Unlike standard desk jobs that stay relatively the same day in and day out, a career in construction means endless on-the-job learning, physical activity, and varying responsibilities.
If you feel stuck remember that, like the construction industry, you can make a major impact in your surroundings with intentional planning and thoughtful reflection. If you’re in the same place today as you were last December, we challenge you to do some forward thinking and big-picture planning of your own.
- Think back on this past year: what steps brought you to where you are today?
- Focus on your current situation you’ve created: are there any improvements you’d like to make?
- Now, with that in mind, picture yourself this time next year: where will you be?
