Building Up Skills: Construction-Based Careers to Consider
Posted on: 28 April 2017
If you're interested in a practical, lucrative career that relies on experience, skill and the efforts of your own two hands, then construction and contract work are great industries to step into. It's one industry that will never disappear to automation or changing trends, and you won't need to retrain often; you'll simply refine the skills you first learn and build up your own abilities and reputation as a reliable and skilful contractor. There's also ample opportunity to be your own boss; once you've learned the trade you choose, you can start up shop yourself, setting your own hours and managing your own work. For many people, this is the dream. But exactly which branch of construction should you step into? Everybody knows about plumbing, electrics and general construction, but there are plenty of more niche areas to consider too. Asbestos removal is one of these.
Basics
Granted, there will come a time when no more asbestos remains - but considering that more is being discovered in old buildings every day, this is not likely to happen anytime soon. Beyond this, asbestos removal will supply you with ample transferable skills that will set you up ideally for moving into another branch of construction if you so choose. Whether you qualify to remove friable or non-friable asbestos, and whether you specialise in asbestos that's built into walls or found remaining in soil, this is a strong industry with great payoffs for those willing to work safely and diligently. So which of these areas should you specialise in?
Friable vs. Non-Friable
Different licenses are required for different types of asbestos. Non-friable asbestos is less hazardous, and there is believed to be more of it around; if you are willing to complete further training, you can also qualify to handle the more dangerous friable asbestos too. Both these types can be found in various forms, whether it's packed into the walls of a building, or whether it's been discarded into soil on an old construction site.
Risk
There is some risk involved in a career like this, especially when removing friable asbestos from a building. However, even when you're removing non-friable asbestos from soil, which is a much less hazardous procedure, there is still a risk element there. Strict safety procedures must be followed in order to prevent harm to your health. Asbestos is considered to be hazardous to health if it comprises even 0.1% of a substance, and it is an identified carcinogen - so you will need to take health and safety very seriously.
In truth, there are plenty of asbestos removal jobs available. It's a big industry with plenty of space for hard workers. If you're willing to put in the time and effort to learn the safety procedures and removal techniques - to any level of certification - then there's certainly a well-paid job out there waiting for you.
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