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A general term referring to one of the many construction specialties.
Craft/trade
Provides a 3D model of a construction site and allows users to directly immerse themselves into the virtual space. VR enables multiple people to envision the final product, feel what it is like to be in the space, and identify any issues before work begins.
Virtual reality (VR)
Equipment or clothing designed to prevent or reduce injuries.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
A trained and skilled individual who designs and builds things. Craft professionals conform to the technical and ethical standards of their trade.
Craft professionals
A program in which you gain valuable skills on the job under the instruction of more experienced professionals, often making money as you obtain training.
Apprenticeship/craft training
An approach to education that pays trainees wages for work completed as part of an on-the-job learning (OJL) program.
Earn as You Learn
The transportation, water, electrical, and telecommunications systems that allow communities and countries to operate.
Infrastructure
A process in which software reads computer files containing building data to create a virtual picture of a facility before it is built. BIM objects represent many dimensions of construction, and allow builders to adjust the plans prior to beginning actual construction.
Building information modeling (BIM)
Construction practices that involve the creation of structures that adhere to sustainability principles.
Green construction
The use of computers to digitally sketch construction designs, allowing other people to see how aspects of a structure would look and work together when built.
Computer-aided design (CAD)
The practice of minimizing negative impacts to Earth’s climate and natural environment.
Sustainability
A category of construction distinguished by specific types of work, materials, equipment, and skills. The four sectors of construction are residential, commercial, industrial, and heavy civil/infrastructure.
Sector
An agency of the US Department of Labor with the mission to establish and enforce safe working conditions for the US workforce.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Oversees many parts of a construction project, including resource management, budgeting, code adherence, quality assurance, and construction materials.
Contractor
The initiator of the project who usually finances the building endeavor.
Project owner
Also called foreman, this supervisory role oversees a crew of craft professionals. It is the crew leader’s job to make sure that work is completed correctly and on time. Crew leaders are responsible for the safety and work of those under them.
Crew leader
Typically employs craft professionals who have specialized skills needed to complete a particular part of the construction project (e.g. HVAC, electrical, plumbing).
Subcontractor/specialty contractor
Oversees the planning and delivery of construction projects on time and within budget.
Project manager
Manages day-to-day activities on a construction site and supervises work performed by the subcontractors.
Site superintendent
Programs offered in high school and technical education centers that allow students to explore career options available in construction.
Career and technical education