Best Construction Jobs and Architecture Jobs SitesConstruction Construction jobs are expected to grow slowly, at a rate between two and seven percent, through the year 2014. However, job opportunities for construction laborers are expected to be good due to the high turnover in these types of construction jobs. Opportunities will be best for those with experience and specialized skills, and for those willing to relocate to areas with new construction projects. Jobs will also be good for laborers specializing in lead, asbestos, and other hazardous materials removal. Jobs for building inspectors are expected to grow faster than average through 2014, as demand for public safety and quality increase. Inspectors are involved in all phases of construction, including maintenance and repair work, and are therefore less likely to lose their jobs when new construction slows during recessions. The increase in home inspections has caused employment of home inspectors to increase rapidly. However, this may slow somewhat due to more people entering the industry and the desire of some construction workers to move into less strenuous and potentially higher paying work. Jobs for construction equipment operators are expected to be good through 2014. Less people are entering these training programs due to the strenuous working conditions. The outlook for construction managers is excellent 2014 andbecause the number of job openings will exceed the number of qualified job applicants. More construction managers will be needed as the level of construction activity continues to grow. In addition, opportunities will increase for construction managers to start their own firms. However, employment of construction managers can be sensitive to the short-term nature of many projects and to the ups and downs of the construction industry. Prospects for individuals seeking construction manager jobs in construction management, architectural and engineering services should be best for persons who have a bachelor’s or higher degree in construction science, construction management, or civil engineering, in addition to practical experience. Employers will increasingly prefer applicants with college degrees, previous construction work experience, including internships, and a strong background in building technology. Architecture Architecture jobs are expected to grow about 9 to 15 percent through 2014. Jobs for architects are strongly tied to the activity of the construction industry. Strong growth is expected to come from nonresidential construction as demand for commercial space increases. Residential construction should continue to be strong so long as interest rates remain relatively low. If interest rates rise significantly, this sector may see a falloff in home building and thus construction jobs. Architects seeking design projects for office and retail construction will face especially strong competition for jobs or clients during recessions, and layoffs may occur in smaller or less successful firms. Those involved in the design of institutional buildings, such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional facilities, will be less affected by fluctuations in the economy. Residential construction makes up a small portion of work for architects, so major changes in the housing market would not be as significant as fluctuations in the nonresidential market. The architecture profession is geographically sensitive and some parts of the Nation may have fewer new building projects than others. Thus, regional economic growth can be in indicator of construction job opportunities for architects. Also, many firms specialize in specific buildings, such as hospitals or office towers, and demand for these buildings may vary by region. This means that architects especially may need to migrate to where construction is increasing the most. Here are the top five online job sites for construction jobs and architecture jobs, as measured by the Alexa rating (the lower the rating, the more popular the site. See our Online Job Search page for a detailed explanation of Alexa ratings.
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