Building a Career in CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

Career World, Sept, 2001 by Rita Cook

Look around you. Almost every human-made object you see has the mark of a construction technology professional.

Many jobs are linked to the construction technology career path. This article explores the following jobs in the construction trades: architectural technicians, industrial engineering technologists, and sheet metal workers. These jobs are all in demand today and will be in the near future. They provide interesting work with excellent pay and career opportunities.

Colleges and technical schools in just about every area of the country offer education in the construction trades, and organizations and unions provide further information and opportunity.

Helping Projects Become Reality

Architectural technicians work with an architect to direct the overall process of building. The technology used in the field includes CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. CAD specifies dimensions and building materials. An architectural technician should have a variety of core skills. He or she will need to communicate well, use computer software, have a good knowledge of mathematics, solve problems, and work well with others.

As an architectural technician, you will get hands-on experience surveying sites and examining technical information. At the same time, you'll need to understand building codes, specifications, building materials, and site requirements, and be able to prepare contracts and bidding documents.

The job outlook is good. In fact, last year Kitty DeRosario, the dean of technology at Sault College in Ontario, Canada, said, "Members of our advisory committee have clearly identified a shortage of architectural technicians."

In order to get your foot in the door, it is necessary to earn a high school diploma as well as graduate from a two- or three-year community college in the field. In some cases certification in architectural technology is required, and it is always important to keep up with important technology.

While training for this career, the emphasis is on logical and mathematical problem-solving computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, CAD, and other computer design tools. Some on-job training is available, but apprenticeships are not as common as in other construction technology careers.

Keeping Things Flowing

Industrial engineering technologists figure out how to make technology work efficiently in the most organized and effective manner. The job consists of integrating people and machines in order to keep everything flowing.

Katherine Henry, coordinator of an industrial engineering technology program, says, "This work is structured common sense. It's about making systems productive."

What this means is conducting studies to evaluate work methods and assessing work content, designing equipment and organizing machinery for better work flow, making sure that floor space is being used efficiently, designing work-stations, overseeing quality control, analyzing costs, and eliminating waste in the factory.

Technology plays a key role in this career. For this reason, not only is CAD knowledge required, but also CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) and CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) programming.

One industrial technologist says he visits a site, gathers background information, and looks at the specific problem the company is facing. He then evaluates the trends and, based on all the facts involved, makes suggestions as to how to improve the processes.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, this is an excellent career choice, as jobs in the field will increase at an average rate until 2008.

Industrial engineering technologists must receive a technical institute certificate in industrial engineering technology. Many choose to complete a four-year degree. Basic requirements are algebra, trigonometry, and one or two basic science courses.

Sheet Metal Workers

Sheet metal workers lay out, fabricate, assemble, and install everything from ducting and cabinets to gutters, downspouts, and outdoor signs. They also work with technical equipment relating to air pollution, air conditioning, and ventilation.

This is a career in which you will be required to read drawings and sketches, as well as lay out and mark sheets of metal in relation to drawings and templates. You must be able to operate equipment such as laser or plasma cuffing machines to cut sheet metal. Computerized metalworking equipment gives the sheet metal worker more freedom to experiment with different layouts. And more sophisticated measuring devices are being developed to elevate skills in the profession.

While sheet metal workers have not had a substantial increase in employment within the past 10 years, that will change as the need for them increases through 2005. Sheet metal workers must have a high school diploma. They can learn the job by receiving on-job training or attending a technical school in the field. The apprenticeship program consists of four to five years of on-job training and at least 144 hours per year of classroom instruction in drafting, plan and specification reading, computerized use of equipment, welding, and the principles of heating, air-conditioning, and ventilating systems.