Weighing your options for good-paying, rewarding careers?

Think heavy. As in heavy construction.

Thousands of local men and women are out there right now, earning great wages and benefits, while building and maintaining our region's roads, bridges, highways and other critical infrastructure. Heavy construction offers a variety of career opportunities for responsible, hard-working individuals who have a passion for building and for making things better and safer.

HOW TO GET STARTED

• College programs



• To gain experience, several colleges offer construction management courses. In fact, the Heavy Constructors Association awards scholarships for students studying for careers in the construction industry. Go to the heavyconstructors.org home page toolbar, click on CAREERS, and download an HCA scholarship application.




• Work training programs



• Several construction trade associations and organizations like the Full Employment Council offer training and apprenticeship programs, with a variety of opportunities for minorities and women. Link to the trades and training programs on the heavyconstrutors.org homepage, under CAREERS.

Phyllis, Paving Equipment Operator: "I want people to know that we care. I want people to know, at our job, we care. Well the best thing about what I do is just knowing that the roads are safe - as safe as possible - you know, by being smooth, people don't have holes and things and it's a wonderful thing knowing that you contributed to that. The fact that they're starting to do more road construction and bridge construction is good for everyone. But it's really wonderful for us that's trying to make a living. You know, with the economy being so bad and with the stimulus money coming along and helping us get off unemployment and back to work. It's a wonderful thing."

Randi, Heavy Machinery Operator: "I'm really proud that I'm a female out in the construction industry. And just that, I mean, working with all the males, it just, it makes me proud of myself and my family's really proud of me just to be out here and doing what I do. Best part about this work is to know that I'm making a safe environment as far the cracks in the roads, the potholes in the roads, the huge shoulders - just to come in and fix those and to know that everyone's driving on safe roads. I am so grateful to be working in this economy."

Allen, Carpenter Supervisor: "I've been in the carpenter's union for 27 years. This job supports my family through the work that I accomplish through the year. We work non-stop 40 - 50 hours a week ... and the income I make out in the field supports my whole family. With the economy the way it is, there's a lot of people that call looking for work and I feel lucky that I'm working for this company and that I've got an opportunity to make money and support my family."