INSULATORS
Apply insulation to pipes, tanks, boilers, ducts, refrigeration equipment and other surfaces requiring thermal control of temperatures. The responsibilities of these mechanics, improvers and apprentices also include the manufacture, fabrication, assembling, molding, erection, spraying, pouring, mixing, hanging, preparation, application, adjusting, alteration, repairing, dismantling, reconditioning, corrosive control, testing and maintenance of heat or frost insulation. Workers also handle insulation materials made of fiberglass, rubber calcium silicate and urethane. Insulators also handle the removal of asbestos-containing material.
Headquarters:
9602 Martin Luther King Highway
Lanham, MD 20706
Phone: 301-731-9101
www.insulators.org
IUPAT
Members work in one or more of several crafts: painting, wallpaper hanging, glazing (glass work), drywall and taping, floor covering, and sign and display work. Painter and paperhangers work in industrial, commercial and residential setting, from bridges and ships to interior walls of office buildings and homes. Drywall finishers tape, fill in and smooth seams in sheets of drywall. Glaziers prepare and install various kinds of glass, mirrors, metal framing and doors/entrances to buildings. Floor coverers work with resilient floors, as well as carpet and decorative coverings. Exterior sign and display work, like billboards, is another choice. Other types of work are convention display and show decorators.
Headquarters:
7234 Parkway Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
Phone: 410-564-5900
www.iupat.org
BAC
Represents all skilled trowel trades workers, including bricklayers, title setters, plasterers, cement masons, marble masons, restoration workers, stonemasons, helpers or finishers, terrazzo and mosaic workers. Their work includes buildings, homes, stadiums, monuments and landmarks throughout the United States and Canada.
Headquarters:
620 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Phone: 202-783-3788
www.bacweb.org
TEAMSTERS
Members in the Building Material and Construction division are truck drivers who transport and haul material, merchandise, equipment or personnel between various locations – including construction sites, manufacturing plants, freight depots, warehouses, and wholesale and retail facilities. They may also load and unload, make mechanical repairs and keep trucks in good working order. Building material and construction Teamsters are employed in the following types of work: rigging, demolition work, landscaping, pipeline construction work, Redi-Mix, warehousing and building supply manufacturing. Teamsters have training programs in Boston, Las Vegas, Alaska, Minnesota, Illinois, California, New York, Ohio, West Virginia as well as a National Pipeline Training Program that is completely mobile and follows all major Pipeline projects.
Headquarters:
25 Louisiana Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-624-6800
www.teamster.org
OPCMIA
Members represent skilled plasterers, cement masons, fireproofers, shophands, and associated members. Plasterers finish interior walls and ceilings of buildings and apply plaster on masonry, metal, wirelath or gypsum. Bridges, canals, dams, reservoirs, roads and many other engineering feats would be impossible without the skills of OPCMIA cement masons. Cement masons are responsible for all concrete construction, including pouring and finishing of slabs, steps, wall tops, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, paving and other concrete construction.
Headquarters:
9700 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 200
Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: 301-623-1000
www.opcmia.org
IUEC
Represent the most qualified and trained elevator constructors in the world. Members assemble, install and replace elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walkways and similar equipment in new and old buildings. Elevator Constructors also maintain and repair this equipment once it is in service, as well as modernize older equipment.
Headquarters:
7154 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: 410-953-6150
www.iuec.org
IBEW
The IBEW represents workers in the electrical industry including construction, gas and electric utilities, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroad, manufacturing and government. Construction and residential electricians work in all phases of the electrical construction and service industry. Their worksites range from single-family residences to state of the art industrial plants. Inside wire workers may install and maintain conduits, switches and converters, as well as wire lighting to complex systems incorporating computerization and current technology. Electricians work in the electric sign industry and increasingly perform more work in the installation of fiber optics and voice data video equipment.
Headquarters:
900 Seventh Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-833-7000
www.ibew.org
UBC
Commercial and residential carpenters, floor layers, millwrights, pile drivers, interior systems carpenters, lathers, cabinetmakers and trade show carpenters. They build forms for concrete and frame buildings, walls, footings, and columns and stairs. Carpenters also install doors, windows, storefronts and hand-rails, and building cabinets, counter-tops and finished stair handrails. Carpenters must read blueprints, measure accurately and calculate dimensions.
Headquarters:
101 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20001
www.carpenters.org
SMART
Members work in a diverse range of industries. Sheet metal workers fabricate, install and service heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; blowpipe and industrial systems; metal roofing; coping and flashing; and stainless-steel work for restaurants, kitchens and hospitals. They build and install architectural sheet metal, wall panels, and prepare shop and field drawings with cutting edge technology. Members also provide HVAC and refrigeration service to residential customers while air balancers measure and ensure structures are energy efficient.
Headquarters:
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-662-0800
www.smart-union.org
UA
A multi-craft union that represents plumbers and pipe, sprinkler, and refrigerator fitters, as well as service technicians. All of these jobs require installation, remodeling or maintenance of systems that carry water, steam, air and other liquids or gases necessary for sanitation, industrial production, heating and air conditioning, and many other uses. Workers measure, cut, and bend pipe, as well as weld, braze, caulk, solder, glue or thread joints at residential and commercial job sites.
Headquarters:
Three Park Place
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-269-2000
www.ua.org
BOILERMAKERS
A diverse union representing workers throughout the United States and Canada who are employed in heavy industry, ship building, manufacturing, railroads, cement, mining and related industries. These skilled workers often use highly specialized equipment for welding, burning, cutting, rigging, layout and bolting. It’s hard work that requires both mental and physical dedication to the craft.
Headquarters:
753 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-371-2640
www.boilermakers.org
ROOFERS
Roofers and Waterproofers remove existing roofs and install new roof systems using a variety of materials. Roofers install single-ply, built-up, steepslope, green technology and paver systems on commercial, industrial and residential structures. Waterproofers install moisture/ air-resistant products on below/above-grade structures and other surfaces to prevent water/air intrusion into buildings. Members also operate mechanical and electrical equipment associated with the installation of roofing and waterproofing products and the construction industry.
Headquarters:
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-463-7663
www.unionroofers.com
LIUNA
Experienced Construction Craft Laborers that rely on a diverse set of skills on a wide variety of job sites. Members build roads, bridges, tunnels, transit, water, and energy systems as well as work on building, demolition, and renovation projects. Assist in the construction and maintenance of power plants and substations, dig trenches for lines, and repair roads after line installation, and build supporting infrastructure such as oil and gas pipelines. LIUNA members are skilled in excavation, tending, scaffolding, concrete placement, environmental remediation, asbestos and lead abatement, flagging, power and hand tools, and general cleanup among a variety of other tasks. Through LIUNA Training’s Construction Craft Laborer Apprenticeship Program, members are prepared for a rewarding career in construction.
Headquarters:
905 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-737-8320
www.liuna.org
IRON WORKERS
Iron Workers assemble and erect steel framework and other metal parts in buildings and on bridges, dams, skyscrapers, factories and other steel structures. They raise, place and join steel girders and columns to form structural frameworks, including the welding for material decking. In addition, iron workers are responsible for the steel reinforcing of concrete construction. Iron workers fabricate and install ornamental, architectural and miscellaneous metal building components. They also install curtain wall under the umbrella of the Ornamental and Architectural Department.
Headquarters:
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-383-4800
www.ironworkers.org
IUOE
A progressive, diversified trade union representing nearly 400,000 working men and women across the United States and Canada. Members are primarily operating engineers, who work as heavy equipment and crane operators, mechanics, and surveyors in the construction industry. After construction is complete, IUOE stationary engineers work to maintain the boilers, generators and heating and cooling systems that keep commercial and industrial complexes, schools and hospitals, and other large buildings and facilities running efficiently. Operating engineers also work on oil and gas pipelines and industries such as mining, dredging, and quarries.
Experienced, journey-level operating engineers and stationary engineers earn exceptional wages and benefits. Many of these journey-level Operating Engineers started their careers in the IUOE Apprenticeship Program.
Headquarters:
1125 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-429-9100
www.iuoe.org
The Building Trades Interactive
Apprenticeship & Training Capacity Map
Apprenticeship & Training Capacity Map
SEE WHERE WE TRAIN ACROSS THE COUNTRY
FAQs
What trades are covered within the construction sector? ›
- Acoustics consultant. Acoustician, acoustics engineer. ...
- Architect. ...
- Architectural technician. ...
- Architectural technologist. ...
- Boat builder. ...
- Bricklayer. ...
- Builders' merchant. ...
- Building control officer.
- Electrician. ...
- Plumber. ...
- Sheet Metal Worker. ...
- Carpenter. ...
- Equipment Operator. ...
- Mason. ...
- Glazier. ...
- Solar Installer.
The role of a skilled tradesman is highly varied and ranges from working on new buildings to the maintenance of existing ones. On larger jobs, they work in a team, and, depending on the type of work, sometimes deal directly with clients. There's also the chance to work alongside other occupations.
What are the 4 types of construction? ›The four key types of construction include residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure, which covers nearly every construction project.
What are the seven types of construction? ›- Residential Building Project.
- Private Project.
- Commercial Project.
- Industrial Project.
- State Construction Project.
- Infrastructure and Heavy Construction Project.
- Federal Construction Project.
The consensus seems to be that plumbers and electricians have the least physically demanding work among the skilled trades. That doesn't mean that those are the best trades, however, and if carpentry is what interests you, you shouldn't allow its reputation of being physically demanding to deter you.
What is the easiest trade in construction? ›But if you ask around, especially among men and women who have worked in several different construction fields, opinions as to what trade careers require the least physical labor generally fall into two camps: plumbers and electricians. Both positions have similar advantages.
What is the hardest construction trade? ›...
Hardest to Master.
Job | Contractors | Customers |
---|---|---|
Plumbing | 4% | 6% |
Drywall & Insulation | 4% | 3% |
Cleaning | 3% | >3% |
Flooring | 3% | >3% |
- Construction Managers. Average Salary: $98,990. ...
- Elevator Installers and Repairers. Average Salary: $97,860. ...
- Electricians. Average Salary: $60,040. ...
- Plumbers. Average Salary: $59,880. ...
- Construction Equipment Operators. Average Salary: $48,920. ...
- ZipRecruiter.
As of 2022, it's predicted that there will be 205,000 new houses completed per annum creating a high demand for trade work. With the need for new housing increasing, building and construction are unsurprisingly the most requested trade across the UK.
What are the major trades? ›
- Construction. which includes trades such as electricians, carpenters, plumbers, pipefitters, welders, heavy equipment operators and painters, among others.
- Transportation. ...
- Manufacturing. ...
- Service.
TYPE IA (ISO 6): The main structural elements are noncombustible. Examples of these materials would be masonry and concrete. Basically, all concrete construction.
What are the 3 types of contractors? ›- General Contractors. The term “general contractor” is used in two ways, in my experience. ...
- Turn-Key (Specialty) Services. If you don't like the idea of paying someone to manage your schedules and hire sub-contractors, you can do this work yourself. ...
- Freelance Workers.
The industry comprises residential construction (house construction, multi-unit apartment and townhouse construction), non-residential construction (commercial and industrial building construction and institutional building construction), engineering construction (heavy industry and other non-building construction and ...
What is a building engineer called? ›Building engineers, also known as building superintendents, or supers, make sure buildings are livable for tenants, are safe and meet all legal requirements for a dwelling or business, according to Zippia. In many cases, building engineers perform a variety of repair and maintenance functions.
What are the different construction types? ›These include residential building construction, industrial construction, commercial building construction, and heavy civil construction.
What trade can I learn in 6 months? ›- Real Estate Agent. Selling real estate has limitless potential, and you can get started quickly. ...
- Commercial Truck Driver. ...
- Phlebotomy Tech. ...
- HVAC Tech. ...
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) ...
- Personal Trainer. ...
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Flight Attendant. 2020 Median Salary: $59,050. Quickest Program Length: 3 weeks. ...
- Electrician. 2020 Median Salary: $56,900. ...
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers. 2020 Median Salary: $50,590. ...
- Physical Therapy Assistant and Aide.
- IT support specialist. National average salary: £25,485 per year. ...
- Plumber. National average salary: £28,957 per year. ...
- Electrician. National average salary: £32,187 per year. ...
- Home inspector. ...
- Respiratory therapist. ...
- Practice nurse. ...
- Aircraft maintenance engineer. ...
- Building inspector.
Fun Trades to Learn in Manufacturing
Manufacturing supervisors. Quality assurance specialists. General maintenance technicians. Industrial mechanics.
Is plastering a hard trade? ›
Plastering can be physically demanding work, so a level of physical fitness is important. It is a very versatile job as many diffrent times of construction from residential to commercial buildings need plaster, so you will be kept engaged with a diffrent site to work on constantly.
Is construction hard on your body? ›Most injuries in construction workers are sprains and strains of the muscles. Construction work can also cause injuries to the joints, bones, and nerves. These injuries often occur from constant wear and tear on the body. Taken together these injuries are called musculoskeletal disorders.
Which trades are hardest on your body? ›Consumers and contractors agreed roofing and demolition are the most physically demanding trades. And while contractors voted carpentry as the third-most physically demanding trade, it barely cracked the top ten for consumers. Of course, muscle isn't all you need on a job site.
What is the most skilled trade? ›- Radiation Therapists. ...
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists. ...
- Dental Hygienists. ...
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians. ...
- Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians. ...
- Boilermakers. ...
- Construction and Building Inspectors. ...
- Electricians.
When asked what type of work was most difficult to master (out of 32 different trades), the two groups of respondents (the average age of which was 43 years old) were in agreement again — electrical work was the hardest to master, followed by carpentry, HVAC, and cabinets/countertops.
What construction jobs pay the most UK? ›- Boilermaker. National average salary: £26,145 per year. ...
- Plumber. National average salary: £28,957 per year. ...
- Brickmason. National average salary: £30,306 per year. ...
- Lift engineer. National average salary: £30,597 per year. ...
- Electrician. ...
- HVAC technician. ...
- Ironworker. ...
- Carpenter.
- Patrol Officer.
- Executive Assistant.
- Sales Representative.
- Flight Attendant.
- Electrician.
- Plumber.
- Wind Turbine Technician.
- Have a “Can-Do” Attitude. ...
- Stay as Long as it Takes. ...
- Focus on Quality. ...
- Stay on Time and on Budget. ...
- Be Obsessed with Safety. ...
- Build Relationships in the Construction Industry. ...
- Expand Your Responsibility. ...
- Innovate.
Although learning a trade depends on the person's skills, some of the easiest trades to learn are elevator mechanic, electric lineman, millwright, boilermaker, and construction inspector, since you can learn your skills throughout apprenticeships and on-the-job training, and don't need a degree.
What building trade is most in demand? ›- Boiler engineer.
- Welder.
- Registered nurse.
- Plumber.
- Electrician.
- Brick mason.
- Carpenter.
- HVAC technician.
What are the 4 main sectors of skilled trades? ›
CLASSIFICATIONS OF THE SKILLED TRADES
To help you better understand which trade best fits your abilities, the skilled trades have been categorized into four main sectors: Construction, Motive Power, Industrial, and Service .
Brickwork. The term “brickwork” is used to encompass both bricklaying and masonry and refers to the process of creating walls and barriers through the laying of brick and mortar.
What is a skilled tradesman? ›Skilled trades are occupations that require a special skill, knowledge or ability which can be obtained at a college, technical school or through specialized training. Skilled trades provide an alternative to jobs that require four years of college education.
What jobs are classed as a trade? ›A trade job is any manual career or job that requires specific skills. The best paying trade jobs require you to have specific advanced skill sets, training or vocational schooling, which can be gained through a university degree, experience, trade school, vocational qualification or apprenticeship.
What apprenticeships can you do in construction? ›Construction apprenticeships are expanding
Building services engineering technician. Building services engineering site management. Civil engineering site management. Construction design management.
The sector encompasses four career pathways: Cabinetry, Millwork, and Woodworking; Engineering and Heavy Construction; Mechanical Systems Installation and Repair; and Residential and Commercial Construction.
What are the different construction trades and explain any two high in demand construction trades? ›Elevator mechanic installs vertical lift and transporting equipment. Fencer, a tradesperson who builds fences. Glazier, installs glass. Heavy equipment operator, a driver and operator of heavy equipment used in engineering and construction projects.
What is the highest paid trade UK? ›- Radiation Therapists. ...
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists. ...
- Dental Hygienists. ...
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians. ...
- Aircraft and Avionics Equipment Mechanics and Technicians. ...
- Boilermakers. ...
- Construction and Building Inspectors. ...
- Electricians.
Quick trade jobs to learn include truck drivers, medical coders, and personal trainers. Trade school enrollment has surged as college enrollment dropped in recent years. Demand for trade jobs such as trucking has caused governments to relax licensure requirements.
How much do construction apprentices make UK? ›
How much will I be paid? All apprentices are paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which currently stands at £4.81 per hour for apprentices under 19, and those aged over 19 who are in their first year (April 2022).
How do I get into construction UK? ›There is no single route into construction
You can start in construction any time from school leaver to later in your career. There are many entry points available including apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships (the equivalent of a first year of a degree) or entry level opportunities where you can learn on the job.
A CITB Apprenticeship combines on-site experience with college learning to provide the right balance of training and real life experience.
How many trades are needed to build a house? ›Sounds like the classic joke: “How many engineers does it take to change a light bulb?” A recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders in the United States has determined that builders use an average of 22 sub trades to construct a house.
What are construction types? ›Buildings can be categorized into five different types of construction: fire-resistive, non-combustible, ordinary, heavy timber, and wood-framed.
Is plumbing classed as construction? ›The Construction Industry Scheme applies to many trades in the “Building Industry”. If you are a Bricklayer (Builder), Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, Painter & Decorator, Plasterer, Scaffolder, Roofer or even a Carpet Fitter, this will apply to you.
What is the hardest construction trade? ›...
Hardest to Master.
Job | Contractors | Customers |
---|---|---|
Plumbing | 4% | 6% |
Drywall & Insulation | 4% | 3% |
Cleaning | 3% | >3% |
Flooring | 3% | >3% |
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers — 105% growth through 2026.
- Plumbers — 16% growth through 2026.
- Ironworkers — 13% growth through 2026.
- Construction Laborers — 13% growth through 2026.
- Construction Equipment Operators — 12% growth through 2026.