HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
There is no single required school path for this occupation, and requirements can vary by employer and site. Many workers enter with a high school diploma or equivalent, while some start before finishing school and gain experience through short-term, entry-level work. On-the-job learning is important because workers often learn by helping more experienced crew members and following site procedures. Employers may prefer people who are physically able to do demanding tasks, arrive reliably, and work safely. In some places, extra training or certificates may be requested for certain tasks, but this can differ from one employer or project to another.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Load and unload construction materials, and move materials to work areas
- Erect and dismantle concrete forms, scaffolding, ramps, catwalks, shoring and barricades required at construction sites
- Mix, pour and spread materials such as concrete and asphalt
- Assist tradespersons such as carpenters, bricklayers, cement finishers, roofers and glaziers in construction activities
- Assist heavy equipment operators to secure special attachments to equipment, signal operators to guide them in moving equipment and provide assistance in other activities
- Assist in aligning pipes and perform related activities during oil and gas pipeline construction
- Assist in drilling and blasting rock at construction sites
- Assist miners in excavating and in setting up and operating various drills and other surface mining machinery
- Level earth to fine grade specifications using rake and shovel
- Assist in demolishing buildings using prying bars and other tools, and sort, clean and pile salvaged materials
- Remove rubble and other debris at construction sites using rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows and other equipment
- Operate pneumatic hammers, vibrators and tampers as directed
- Tend or feed machines or equipment used in construction such as mixers, compressors and pumps
- Clean up chemical spills and other contaminants, and remove asbestos and other hazardous materials
- Oil and grease hoists and similar equipment
- Direct traffic at or near construction sites
- Perform other activities at construction sites, as directed.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
What a day can include
A typical day starts with a crew meeting and a review of the day’s tasks. A helper may carry lumber, bags, tools, or other supplies to the right spot, then help set up forms, barriers, or scaffolding. During the day, they might clear debris, level ground, mix materials, hand tools to tradespeople, or direct traffic around the work zone. If equipment is being used, they may signal an operator or help attach special equipment. Work often changes through the day, so helpers need to follow directions, stay alert, and switch from one task to another as the site changes.
SKILLS TO BUILD