Careers In The Building Trade

[Music] most people like to watch workmen on a construction job but I had a special interest before I finished high school I wanted to learn something about the Building Trades I've always liked to work with my hands to build things maybe I thought maybe Mr Johnson the contractor would give me a job I don't remember much about what I said to Mr Johnson except that I was looking for a summer job and that I'd work hard he seemed to think I could handle the job and that he would need extra help that summer when school was out a new adventure began for me it was hard work I wasn't sure I had the strength to do it but in time I found that I could do the work and by watching the experienc building Tradesman work I had a chance to learn I noticed that every skilled Craftsman knew how to use the tools of his trade with precision and ease the carpenter moved carefully and coordinated his hands with the rest of his body Carpenters used many different tools skillfully I felt that he had had to have experience in training years of training the experienced brick layer knew what he was doing too he worked fast so his mortar would not preset after he measured his work to blueprint specifications he spread mortar with his trowel then he set the bricks in a firm and permanent position the plumber laid out a network of pipes to supply water to a building and to dispose of water from that building he worked from blueprint specifications too I learned that the plumber had to know basic scientific principles in sanitary requirements to do his job right he also had to be skilled in the use of different tools some are mechanical tools such as this pipe threader the cuts and curves the sheet metal worker made with his shears are not quickly learned and from the different pieces he cut he assembled ventilating equipment and heating Ducks the work of the electrician also seemed interesting and you really have to understand intricate circuits to be able to set up an electrical wiring system as time passed I realized that each skilled Builder must apply his trade expertly so that a structure will stand for years and years time to eat time to relax time to make friends and talk the men talked about everything their families their automobiles their Hobbies I learned that most construction workers belong to unions and that there is a union for each trade they seemed independent and proud of their craft but as I listened I realized that there were certain disadvantages to working in the Building Trades bad weather was a constant worry rainy days and winter months meant a slack period maybe no work and most jobs in the Building Trades are temporary once a project is completed the worker has to look for another job unless he contracts jobs for himself as Mr Johnson does or Find Steady employment with business establishment or a city but if I could become really skilled like these Tradesmen here I thought there'd always be work for me when I returned to high school in the fall I knew that there was much I had to learn with the advice of the school counselor I carefully planned my courses to help me realize my ambition to work in the Building Trades I worked hard for now each subject each class became more of a challenge to me Mathematics algebra and geometry particularly I knew I could never be a builder without mathematical knowledge in mechanical drawing class I learned how to make drawings and see things in proper perspective in shop I learned how to put tools to their proper basic use the skilled Craftsman must work with people he must be able to understand instructions and to give instructions clearly so my English class was important whether I talked before the class studied the meaning of words or read a poem such as this one by James Russell l no man is Born Into the world whose work is not born with him there is is always work and tools to work with all for those who will and blessed are the horny hands of toil that verse reminded me of the men and the work that I had learned about in The Building Trades I never was much of a reader but there I was in the library doing some heavy reading research about the Building Trades I discovered that there were more than 2 million people in the The Building Trades Carpenters laborers painters electricians and many more and there are jobs to be had in most of the trades in any part of our country the best way to become a skilled worker or journeyman is to serve some sort of apprenticeship for a few years the job with the tools of your particular trade taught by an experienced journeyman each of the trades requires specialized training so I had to decide on one trade I thought back over my Summer's work and the skilled trades I had seen the brick layer bummer the electrician the Carpenter and others such as the painter whose skill I had admired so much the glazers trade also interested me more and more buildings are being built with glass walls and partitions so there will be plenty of work for the train skilled Glazier the plaster seemed an artist as he spread the fresh plaster smoothly in a few broad Strokes if I had a chance to learn his trade or any of the skilled trades I'd be happy but I remembered how interested I was in the work of the carpenter last summer and I recall the a wonderful feeling I get when I build something even a simple shelf in workshop class at school I figured I had the ability and the interest to become a carpenter after I graduated from high school I asked Mr Johnson for an apprenticeship recommendation I wanted to be a good Carpenter with his help and the approval of both management and labor my formal training as a carpenter's Apprentice began then I learned more about how to read blueprints I estimated the amount and cost of lumber I learned how to cut and fit pieces of many shapes and how to skillfully use the tools of my trade now with proper supervision I am learning to be a good Carpenter you know it's a wonderful feeling to know that I can build that I can really contribute to the growth of my community [Music]