Construction is a high-risk industry that encompasses diverse construction, modification, or repair operations. In FY 2020, a worker died every 111 minutes from a work-related injury. Safety and quality have always been two of the construction industry’s most common challenges, and certification can help you master both.
Before starting the work, Construction Professionals should be equipped with proper training covering a wide range of topics, from operating heavy machinery to adhering to safety regulations. The Construction Certifications help to provide such training. A Construction Certification is a document or credential that verifies the ability of a Construction Professional to perform construction tasks more effectively. Certified industry professionals are recognized as skilled players demonstrating the ability to manage the construction process. Several Government Agencies and private organizations offer construction certifications to professionals willing to enhance their skills and knowledge to address the changes and challenges in the construction industry.
This blog enlists the top 7 in-demand certifications helping professionals improve their skills, making them suitable for the challenging jobs in the Construction sector.
Importance of Certifications:
Certification programs offer comprehensive training methods that allow candidates to enhance work-safety standards before stepping foot on the job. As a result, qualified experts create a more productive workplace with fewer risks of accidents or failures. Certifications also:
- Foster professional development, helping candidates to enhance their skills and competencies and ensuring their career growth throughout the construction industry
- Help applicants expand knowledge and expertise by being exposed to more in-depth areas of the profession or specialization, making the work simpler
- Distinguish applicants from those not certified since they demonstrate consistent commitment to their future profession and help employers recognize the dedication, improving candidates’ value and worth
In-demand Certifications in the Construction Industry:
1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Training: OSHA certification ensures the safety of workers at the construction site and has helped reduce accidents by more than a half since its inception in 1971. The Department of Labor provides a 10-hour or 30-hour training card as per the requirements of applicants. A 10-hour OSHA card requires 10 hours of training and is designed for entry-level non-supervisory roles, whereas a 30-hour OSHA card requires training for 30 hours, scheduled for supervisory positions in the construction industry.
2. Crane Operation Certification: Crane Operation Certification ensures education and effective safety standards for workers working in and around cranes. The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) provides a variety of crane operating certificates, such as crane inspectors and lift director certifications. Crane operator certification will assist candidates in various ways, including fewer accidents, more regular training, and more career chances in professions that include load-handling equipment.
3. The American Concrete Institute (ACI) Certification: ACI offers 30 certification programs in concrete testing, inspection, and construction. There are no prerequisites for the program; however, you must take an exam to get certified, whereby the ACI provides resources to help you prepare. Candidates with ACI certification gain in-depth knowledge of concrete as a material, understand proper methods and procedures for site work and become familiar with relevant concrete codes and standards.
4. Green Business and LEED Certification: Professional Certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) acknowledges green building and design competency. Candidates must apply to the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for green business certifications. It starts with obtaining a Green Associate certificate, certifying a person’s knowledge of sustainable construction methods.
5. Certified Safety Manager (CSM): The CSM certification is for construction employees desiring to pursue a career in safety management. This Certification allows applicants to manage safety programs, procedures, and regulations while preparing them to work independently. A 40-hour course offered by the National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) prepares you to take the CSM test.
6. Certified Construction Manager (CCM): The Certified Construction Manager program provides management strategies helping professionals learn how to manage projects more efficiently to be completed on time and within budget. The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) is the gold standard in construction management qualifications, demonstrating that professionals know industry best practices. The Certification requires a 4-year bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of construction management experience, or 8 years of construction experience with 4 years in management if the candidates don’t have a bachelor’s degree.
7. Associate Constructor (AC) and Certified Professional Constructor (CPC): American Institute of Contractors offers construction workers and managers a constructor certification program. This program has two certifications: Associate Constructor (AC) and Certified Professional Constructor (CPC). AC certification is for construction employees of any level of experience and prepares them in engineering, estimating and bidding, and project planning, among other topics. The CPC certification is ideal for established constructors with several years of project oversight experience wanting to take their careers to the next level.
Basic safety training is essential for all construction professionals, not just for their protection but also for others on site. Getting all workers on a construction site certified and qualified is necessary because workers without Certification or expired certificates are a disaster waiting to happen. A shortage of labor in the construction industry makes it challenging to find a qualified candidate with proper Certification. iQuasar LLC, a civil engineering staffing organization, has a team of professionals with experience in construction staffing who assist your company in finding workers with proper Certification.
