AIM Magazine 2016 | Page 63

As our area grows , so does the need for new construction . Construction employees are in high demand due to both economic growth and the retirement of experienced workers . These two factors mean the projected 10 year demand for construction workers will create more than 5,000 jobs .
Almost 13,000 people in Northwest Arkansas were employed in construction as of 2015 . Those working in construction careers included carpenters , heavy equipment operators , steel workers , supervisors , estimators , and project managers . Many occupations in the construction industry pay above-average wages and do not require a degree .
Springdale and Northwest Arkansas are home to dozens of construction companies . Some focus on certain types of projects , like building houses . Others cater to commercial projects , constructing buildings for businesses , and fabricating steel beams to be used in the construction process . Still other construction companies specialize in infrastructure projects , such as the ongoing construction to widen Interstate 49 .
Opportunities in the construction industry go far beyond swinging a hammer , an outdated image that usually comes to mind when you think about construction workers . Careers in this sector offer a wide range of positions from estimators to equipment operators .
Pay rates in the construction industry can vary from $ 9.50 for entry-level employees to $ 21 per hour for skilled tradespeople . Construction supervisors can make significantly more , with some topping $ 100,000 a year . This in-demand career field has led to many schools including Har-Ber High School , the Don Tyson School of Innovation and NorthWest Arkansas Community College offering construction trades programs .
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