Introduction

You may be a high school student looking to gain experience, a single parent looking for fulfillment while you provide for your family, or a seasoned professional looking for a new job pace which uses skills you're passionate about. Working as a skilled craftsperson is a growing field and available to women and men of any education level. Here you will find a brief description of each trade.

Boilermakers

Boilermakers work in a wide range of trades from blacksmiths to cement workers. Being a boilermaker does not necessarily mean you will be building boilers – ships, stoves, and cement kilns all benefit from the expertise of boilermakers. Boilermakers contribute to the comfort of homes through power and water, our nation's defenses, and space exploration.

Often, boilermakers start with gaining knowledge in welding and grow their expertise through technical school, apprenticeship training, and on-the-job training. Boilermaker work may require traveling and spending long stretches of time away from home. It is a physical and sometimes dangerous job where you will need strength, coordination, and manual dexterity.

Boilermakers may work in these industries:

• Industrial construction, repair, and maintenance
• Shipbuilding and marine repair
• Cement kilns
• Other related industries

What you will learn and work on as a boilermaker:

• Drafting
• Read blueprints to determine location, position, and dimension of parts
• Boiler technology to know how to not only build but upgrade and maintain the boilers
• Use hand and power tools, including welding equipment and gas torches
• Rigging
• Assemble boiler tanks — at times using automatic or robot welders
• Install pre-made boilers or assemble pre-manufactured parts
• Inspect and run tests on boiler systems to find leaks or defects

To learn more about being a boilermaker, visit the Local #647 website.

Bricklayers

Bricklayers call for a variety of skills. It isn't simply laying brick after brick. You need to know mortar characteristics inside and out. Reading blueprints, checking specifications, and working with a variety of materials all play into this specialized trade. Normally you will work with a team of skilled men and women, though after you complete your apprenticeship you may choose to work alone.

Bricklaying has become diverse as technology has advanced. You will work with many more materials than traditional bricks. Structural tiles or marble, glass, and concrete blocks could all be used for your building project. You will build walls, chimneys, walkways, foundations, and other structures. These will all form residential, commercial, or industrial projects.

Bricklaying requires strength and stamina. Setting designs into place will take your manual dexterity. You will learn how to use construction tools and construction software to complete each job.

To learn more about being a bricklayer, visit the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Training Center website.

Carpentry

Carpentry is as varied as the day is long. As the first team to be onsite and the last to leave, carpenters can specialize in the following for construction and residential jobs:

• Wood framing – decks, walls, roofs
• Interior systems – walls, cabinetry, acoustical ceilings, countertops, furniture
• Concrete formwork – for sidewalks, foundations, and walls
• Exterior finish – install windows, walls, decks and patios
• Interior finish – walls, trim, locks and other hardware, flooring

No matter what you specialize in, you will need to read blueprints and detailed drawings and work safely with both hand and power tools. The work is physically demanding at times and can be both indoor and outdoor. You will use math for excellent measurements and calculations, creativity for problem solving and designing projects. You will also need to be business oriented.

As a carpenter, you will adapt quickly and safely to using different tools to cut, shape, and refine wood into finished projects.

Similar occupations include cement masons, terrazzo workers, construction laborers, drywall and ceiling tile installers, and tile and marble setters. You can learn more about becoming a carpenter at Build Your Life.

Cement Masons

Cement masons pour, smooth, and finish concrete floors, sidewalks, roads, and curbs. Concrete work is fast paced and strenuous and often involves kneeling, bending and reaching. Cement masons typically do the following:

• Set the forms that hold concrete in place
• Install reinforcing rebar or mesh wire to strengthen the concrete
• Signal truck drivers to facilitate the pouring of concrete
• Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using a trowel, float, or screed
• Mold expansion joints and edges
• Monitor curing (hardening) to ensure a durable, smooth, and uniform finish
• Apply sealants or waterproofing to protect concrete

Concrete is one of the most common and durable materials used in construction. Once set, concrete—a mixture of cement, sand, gravel, and water—becomes the foundation for everything from decorative patios and floors to huge dams or miles of roadways.

Types of Cement Masons:

• Cement masons and finishers – place and finish concrete. They may color concrete surfaces, expose aggregate (small stones) in walls and sidewalks, or make concrete beams, columns, and panels. Throughout the process of pouring, leveling, and finishing concrete, cement masons must monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affects the curing of the concrete.
• Terrazzo workers and finishers – create decorative walkways, floors, patios, and panels. Although much of the preliminary work in pouring, leveling, and finishing concrete is similar to that of cement masons, terrazzo workers create more decorative finishes by blending a fine marble chip into the cement, which is often colored.

Electrical

Electricians are highly skilled craft workers. You will be able to have satisfaction by using your mind and hands to work this trade. You will remain active because this is a moderately physical job. As an apprentice, you will learn the skills you need to bring power and communication to buildings of all sizes. You will assemble, install, and test electrical components for fixtures, appliances, machinery, and more.

Types of Electricians:

• Commercial Electricians help a business stay open by keeping the power up and going. They know the ins and outs of working in larger buildings such as offices, factories, airports, etc.
• Residential Electricians specialize in wiring and maintaining electrical components in homes, which have different wiring needs from businesses.
• Telecommunications Electricians are responsible for laying the cable used to keep us connected. They lay the cable needed for phones, computers, and local network wiring.
• Linemen work outside and with high voltage power lines, industrial wiring, and highway lighting (including traffic signals). For this reason, it is considered the most dangerous of electrician fields.
• Industrial Electricians install, maintain, test, troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical and electronic controls, PLCs and motors.

Experience Levels:

• Apprentice – works closely with an experienced electrician to learn the trade through classroom time and on-the-job training.
• Journeyworker Electrician – after completing apprenticeship and passing the state exam, can work on electrical systems without supervision.
• Master Electrician – with further experience, can design electrical systems and open their own business.

More information can be found at the National Electrical Contractors Association.

Electrical Lineman

Power lines travel from power plant to power lines to systems and structures needing electricity. People in the Electrical Lineman trade make sure the power is on!

Electrical Linemen are responsible for the installation, repair and maintenance of overhead and underground electrical power lines and auxiliary equipment. As a lineman, you will work outdoors with electrical poles and power lines to maintain, find problems and fix them.

Someone that is hard working, pays attention to detail, is not afraid of heights or bad weather, and understands the importance of following safety rules and procedures will make a great Electrical Lineman.

• Website: https://movalleyjatc.org
• Math Practice Test: https://www.movalleyjatc.org/pdfs/mv-MathTest.pdf
• Training: http://www.electricaltrainingalliance.org

Elevator Constructors

As an Elevator Constructor, you will use your intelligence and skills in electricity, computer electronics, physics and hydraulics. You will be building, installing, and maintaining elevators in buildings from small apartment complexes to skyscrapers. To do this, you must know the process of each step from reading the blueprints to building and installing the elevators to testing the completed elevators for safety.

Your four years of training will include classroom time and valuable on-the-job training. At your apprenticeship's conclusion you will have a thorough working knowledge of the workings of elevators. You will continually learn through yearly training as technology advances.

Insulators

As a professional Insulator, you will bring value to your community by helping homes and businesses stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. You will spend time in the classroom and on-the-job training and learning how to interpret blueprints, application techniques, layouts of patterns, and on-the-job safety. Math and logical reasoning are skills of high value in this skilled profession.

As you learn the fine details of being an insulator, you will begin to recognize the many types of insulation and know their R-value. You will also know what a home or building needs in terms of what is recommended and what is the best insulation R-value.

Iron Workers

Union Ironworkers play a great part in building our future. Nearly all buildings require the skills of ironworkers. Your school, library, hospital, sports stadium, and shopping malls were all built with iron structures. Famous landmarks such as The Golden Gate Bridge and The St. Louis Arch were erected by ironworkers. The men and women who are ironworkers take pride in their work and how they shape our skylines.

Becoming a Journeyworker Ironworker starts with an apprentice program. You will work with a team learning new skills on paid jobs as well as in a classroom setting. Starting this career path doesn't require knowledge of the craft. You simply must have the desire to learn, like to work outside, and enjoy new challenges. This is a physically demanding job which requires you to use your mind and brawn.

Types of Ironworkers:

• Structural Ironworkers work on the project skeleton. They work primarily with large buildings, towers, bridges, and prefabricated buildings.
• Reinforcing Ironworkers are responsible for reinforcing concrete structures. This includes fabrication and placement of steel bars and installing post-tensioning tendons.
• Ornamental Ironworkers work on 'smaller' details such as stairways, catwalks, grates, doors, railings, fencing, and more.

Visit your local union's website for more information.

Laborers

Grab your steel-toed work boots, hard hat, vest, and safety glasses and start your rewarding career as a laborer! Laborers are the backbone of the construction industry. They work in nearly every facet of construction including, but not limited to, building, highways and roads, environmental remediation, mainline pipeline, distribution, landscaping and commercial cleaning.

Areas of Work:

• Building – Prep worksites for construction or demolition. Set up scaffolding, ladders, and other temporary structures.
• Highway & Heavy – Place road signs, cones, traffic barricades. Control traffic flow near work zones. Place concrete and asphalt on roads.
• Environmental Remediation – Find and remove various pollutants from job site soil and water.
• Mainline Pipeline – Dig trenches. Install sewer, water, and storm drain pipes.
• Distribution – Load, unload, identify, and distribute materials to appropriate job sites.
• Landscaping – Create pleasing outdoor spaces. Plan, build, and nurture beautiful outdoor spaces for others to enjoy.
• Commercial Cleaning – Clean a site between different subcontractors and prepare properties after construction is complete.

A Laborer often helps other craftworkers, including carpenters, operating engineers, masons, and plasterers. You can read more at the Laborers Training Center for Minnesota and North Dakota.

Operating Engineers

Are you mechanically inclined and enjoy working with your hands? Then an Operating Engineer may be the job for you. As an Operating Engineer, you will be responsible for maintaining your engine powered heavy equipment. The equipment includes bulldozers, cranes, loaders, and other related heavy equipment. You will use these machines to build dams, bridges, roads, and buildings.

You may also work for the electrical company or other large companies who generate their own power. As a licensed trade professional, you will be responsible for managing the power, heating and cooling systems, and refrigeration equipment. Along with performing routine maintenance and work orders, you will respond to emergency calls.

Learn more at your Local 49 Union.

Painters

As a painter, you will work with different mediums, know several methods of application, and understand how these affect the surfaces you are covering. As an apprentice, you will learn how to read blueprints. You will practice preparing and finishing surfaces from drywall to wood. You will coordinate colors and decorate finishings.

You will use your knowledge to select proper finishes and techniques to best fit the customer's finished product. You will know how to most effectively and quickly coat large surfaces, and how many coats must be applied. Since you may be working at great heights, you will understand and follow safety measures and how to use the necessary safety equipment.

If you want to know more about becoming a Painter, visit the Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest.

Plumbers / Pipefitters / Steamfitters / HVAC

If you enjoy math and science, becoming a plumber or pipefitter may be the trade for you. As you work on septic systems or refrigeration or any other project, you are helping protect and preserve our environment. You are also giving homes and businesses access to water, needed for both drinking and sanitation.

As a plumber or pipefitter, you will hold a multifaceted career which involves installation, servicing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair. You know and follow state and local building codes as you read blueprints to install a wide variety of projects.

Specializations:

• Plumbers generally work in a residential setting. They work on many areas critical to modern homes, from toilets to washing machines to water heaters.
• Pipefitters and Steamfitters specialize in working with gas or steam. They install and maintain the pipes in industrial buildings, office buildings, and power plants.
• HVAC technicians have the experience needed to install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems. They work in residential and commercial buildings.

Learn more at Plumbers & Steamfitters JATC 11 & 589 and pipetradecareers.com.

Roofers

As a Roofer, you will be in charge of keeping families and businesses dry and protected from the elements. The experience you gain in an apprenticeship and specialized manufacturer training will give you the insight you need to assess, recommend, and repair damaged roofs. You will also know what goes into building a new or replacement roof.

Because you will be working on roofs, you should have good balance and not fear heights. You will need reasonable skills in carpentry and arithmetic. In your apprenticeship you will learn safety, blueprint reading, job estimating, and waterproofing.

Main Material Focuses:

• Asphalt shingles
• Wood shakes
• Tile/concrete shingles
• Metal roofs
• Rubber roofs

Learn more at United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 96.

Sheet Metal

If you enjoy working with your hands, joining the trade of Sheet Metal Workers could be the job for you. This trade remains one of the few where tradespersons start with raw material for custom and complex systems and then install them.

As a Sheet Metal Worker, you will take blueprints and verbal requests and turn them into any shape or size. You will work on the fabrication, erection, and installation of systems to heat, cool, and ventilate buildings. You will also repair, replace, and otherwise service residential heating and air conditioning systems.

This trade is much more than working on 'conditioned air' as it is usually condensed to. You will know all the elements of solar installation, soldering, hoisting and rigging. You will be skilled in energy management and retrofitting environmental systems. Sheet Metal Workers are an integral part of keeping manufacturing plants safe on a day-to-day basis.

Learn more at the Minnesota Chapter of the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association.

Teamsters

Teamster construction drivers drive a large variety of construction equipment including tractor-trailers; flatbeds or lowboy trailers; mixer trucks; end-dump, belly-dump or side-dump trucks; road repair equipment; fuel trucks; water trucks; mechanics trucks and even the job site crew buses. This career is more than just driving. You will learn how to operate the implements on some trucks, such as dumping loads, attaching the mixer chutes and strapping or chaining down equipment.

Learn more at Minnesota Teamster Apprenticeship.