Building and Construction
The construction industry is divided into three major segments: general building construction, heavy construction and special trade contracting. In general building construction, workers build residential and commercial structures. Workers employed in heavy construction work on highways, bridges, and tunnels. Special trade contractors are responsible for carpentry, painting, plumbing, and electrical work. Some workers enter the construction trade without formal training. Skilled workers such as carpenters or bricklayers need several years of on-the-job or apprenticeship training. Construction workers need the physical stamina to work outside or in partially enclosed structures in all types of weather. They may work long hours, often over 40 hours a week, to meet project deadlines. Most of the occupations in the Building and Construction Career Cluster are nontraditional occupations. This means that women comprise less than 25 percent of workers in these jobs nationally.