What Does a Construction Laborer Do?

Thinking about a career change? Want to get started in the workforce without a couple hundred thousand dollars in debt? Wherever you find yourself job-wise, consider the construction industry. Opportunities are plentiful, and you can learn invaluable skills that will serve you well throughout life. So let’s get into it: what exactly do construction laborers do, and which skills do you need to succeed in this field?

What do construction laborers do when they’re on a job? Well… it depends. Duties can vary from company to company and site to site. In general, they:

• Prepare construction sites for work (e.g. clearing possible obstacles and hazards)
• Cleaning sites of debris at the end of the day
• Loading and unloading building materials, tools, machinery, etc., and distributing to the appropriate locations
• Operate some hand and power tools, including air hammers, cement mixers, etc.
• Set up/take down scaffolding, dig trenches, set braces to support safe work
• Assist craftsman and tradespeople

Construction laborers need to be able to handle the physical aspects of a jobsite. This is not a desk job! That is ideal for people who like to be out, about, and moving. Other useful construction laborer skills include the ability to:

• Work as part of a team
• Take directions and implement appropriate action
• Interpret plans (e.g. measuring areas where construction work will take place)
• Communicate with foremen, managers, and others
• Learn skills that are specific to the job (e.g. mixing cement, operating equipment, etc.)

Construction laborers perform essential work and are integral to the industry. If you want to learn more - and jumpstart your career - contact Labor for Hire today.