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The building and construction trades have always been indispensable to
society; during the last 50 years, however, technological developments
have resulted in great strides in efficiency, enabling projects to be
completed at a faster rate and with less physical labor. These
advances have also allowed for entirely new trades to develop, creating
more jobs and a demand for highly skilled workers with up-to-date
training. Specific trades include carpentry, concrete masonry,
electrical, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, and dozens of
others. Trades are organized into specific sectors such as home
building, nonresidential building, and highway construction; together,
these account for about 19 percent of the country's employment.
One area of building and construction that has experienced much change
within the last half-century is the home building sector. Today's
homes are substantially larger and contain more labor-saving devices
which necessitate additional wiring and plumbing. In order to keep
up with the increased demand for larger, more sophisticated homes, many
building materials are prefabricated, saving the builder a
considerable amount of time. Today's builder can take advantage of
more efficient building practices, but he or she must also have successful
managerial, planning, and scheduling skills to oversee the entire
process. Building is cyclical, and the construction of new homes in
turn boosts the need for construction in other areas, including highway
development, schools, commercial establishments, grocery stores and gas
stations. During a housing crisis, the focus turns to renovation of
existing housing.
Building and construction trades offer more opportunities for
self-employment than most other industries, and many skills can cross
over between individual trades, allowing for wider employment
opportunities. As we move into the future, the need for
construction and restoration of schools, highways, and bridges is
expected to grow, especially in the South and West, which are
experiencing the highest growth in population. Whether through new
building or updating of existing structures, the building and
construction trades provide tangible solutions to our needs and help
shape the communities in which we live.
For more information about the construction industry, read
The Construction Industry, and visit the
National Center for Construction Education,
Associated General Contractors of America,
Associated Builders and Contractors,
and Home Builders Institute websites.
For information about building trades education, visit the
American College of Building Arts website.
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