Construction is a fundamental pillar of human history. It is quite literally the foundation of our entire society as we know it. Some of our most treasured cultural icons here in America are found in constructions such as the Empire State Building, the White House, and the stunning Trinity Church in Boston. And around the world, ancient constructions such as the Colosseum in Italy and the Taj Mahal in India give us a glimpse into our past—reminding us that it’s not so very far away.
Nowadays, from the tallest skyscrapers to the coziest corner stores, almost every building we step into today was put together by a team of highly skilled construction tradespeople and a trusted construction project manager to show them the way. Disorganization can make a construction project difficult, if not outright impossible. But with a construction project manager at the helm, the crew can have the clear and concise direction they need to get any project done on time and with the utmost care for quality.
That’s why we’re dedicated not only to finding quality work and providing full benefits to tradespeople from all walks of life but also to any construction project manager looking to use their trade skills for jobs that really matter. Here at Skilled Trades Partners, we’ve built a platform—founded on a blue-collar work ethic and respect—that works to connect honest, hardworking tradespeople with a consistent work schedule that’ll put money in the bank and food on the table.
But do you have what it takes to be a construction project manager here at Skilled Trades Partners? If you’re not sure, that’s precisely what this blog is for—so let’s find out!
What Is a Construction Project Manager?
As we hinted at above, every project that wants to flow efficiently and effectively will need a construction project manager on board to ensure that no detail is skipped over and that everything is up to industry safety standards. The construction project manager is the focal point, the direct line of communication and trust between those funding the project, such as the property’s owner and other stakeholders, and the hardworking tradespeople making it all happen, such as the designers, architects, and construction contractors.
To put it simply: a construction project manager is tasked with coordinating with all sectors of a project from start to finish to ensure that the project is finished within the given budgetary and time constraints. And this role isn’t just necessary for a select few types of projects; every industry that may need something built will need a construction project manager by their side. This includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Health Care
- Hospitality
- Real Estate
- Government
- Commercial
- and more!
Trying to complete a quality construction job without a construction project manager is like trying to sail a ship without a captain or lead a platoon without a lieutenant—it just won’t function the way it should.
What It Takes to Be a Construction Project Manager
Now that you know what a construction project manager (CM) is, it’s time to figure out what it takes to be one. Not every tradesperson with a history in contracting and construction will be a suitable fit for the job. Just the same, not every individual with experience in management might be fit for construction management. It requires someone who is able to digest and interpret the needs of those funding the project while simultaneously understanding the needs, pace, and skills of the tradesmen and women doing the challenging, hands-on work.
And though every CM will certainly have a different personality, work style, and efficacy, there are a few traits that we believe run in common with any good construction project manager.
Discipline
More than anything, discipline is absolutely necessary for anyone working on a construction project—especially a construction project manager. Being able to follow and convey directions accurately with the skill and mindset needed for the task at hand requires diligence and a thorough understanding of the work being done. From building codes, safety regulations, and local ordinances, a CM needs to have the discipline to ensure that all criteria for a successful project are being met effectively.
Good Time Management
While juggling the needs of various teams, stakeholders, and deadlines, a construction project manager will need to also ensure that everything is completed on time. If a project goes overtime or is over budget, it could fall on a CM for having failed to meet those needs when there was ample room to handle them on time.
Critical and Creative Thinking
As a construction project manager, the best way to maintain good time management is through critical and creative thinking. Not only does this play into the discipline that a CM must have, but it also shows that they are flexible and able to adapt to whatever surprise situation may present itself. As all tradespeople know, there’s always a chance for something to go wrong, so a CM who can quickly and correctly analyze a situation and then implement a creative and effective solution is a boon to any project.
Patience
Of course, along with any surprise setbacks and mistakes comes the need to keep a level head no matter what happens. Irrational decisions made in the wake of an irritating setback can put an entire project at risk of failure. And not only that, but it could also endanger the lives of the tradespeople that a CM is supposed to be looking out for—or those of future occupants in a hastily and poorly constructed building.
Empathy
Finally, empathy is crucial to working as a construction project manager. That’s because a large part of the job is managing interpersonal relationships. Depending on the scale of the project that a CM is assigned to, there could be dozens, if not hundreds, of individual tradespeople to keep track of and keep in high spirits while working.
If you feel like you exhibit these traits and also have a background in construction contracting and management, then you may just be the perfect person to partner with us here at Skilled Trades Partners. We can help you find the kinds of projects and companies that you want to work for and will ensure that you are the captain of your own career path as a construction project manager.
How Do You Become a Full-Fledged Construction Project Manager?
So now you may be wondering how one can become a construction project manager. Thankfully, construction is an industry that is always booming in business, so there is always a need for those looking for a career in construction project management.
There are four crucial steps to becoming a CM, and they are as follows:
- Higher Education
- Early Career Training
- Relevant Work Experience
- Certifications and Licenses
Let’s dive deeper into each of these steps and what they entail.
Higher Education
Unless you have a long and extensive history of quality work experience to prove your worth, you’ll need some form of higher education and a bachelor’s degree. Degrees in business, construction, engineering, or any field that may be relevant to your future duties as a construction project manager can provide the experience, knowledge, and track record of success to show that you have what it takes to be an effective CM.
Don’t worry; an associate’s degree may also be enough in some cases as long as you have a decent history of work experience in construction or previously as a CM.
Early Career Training
For those who are brand new to the field, on-the-job training during the first year or two of their career is absolutely essential. This will give you professional insight into the business from those who have vastly more experience and also serves as an excellent opportunity to gain work experience that may not have been possible on your own and without mentorship.
At Skilled Trades Partners, we encourage and promote career-long learning because you never know what opportunities may open themselves up to you! That’s why, as part of our generous benefits package, when you find employment through us, we can offer tuition reimbursement when used to further your given trade. Plus, we provide routine OSHA and Safety training so that you’re always kept up-to-date when you’re out on the job.
Relevant Work Experience
Quality work experience is at the core of any good construction project manager. The more relevant work experience that you’re able to successfully achieve, the more sought after you’ll be by future projects in need of a trustworthy and effective CM. And as touched on earlier, if for some reason higher education is a no-go, a clean and proven track record of work done well could be enough to land you that job you’re looking for.
Certifications and Licenses
The last thing a professional construction project manager will want to acquire is any necessary licenses and certifications that they may need to operate legally in their area. Certain states require that all construction project managers are fully licensed, while others may only need a quick certification that demonstrates a sufficient level of knowledge and work history.
However, putting aside any legally required documents, the more credentials and certifications you’re able to collect, the better of a candidate you’ll be for higher-paying construction management positions—so we say, the more, the merrier!
How to Get Hired as a Construction Project Manager
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to starting and succeeding in a career as a construction project manager. Everyone comes from a different background and economic situation and brings to the table things that are unique to them, so it’s up to you to determine your best course of action.
That being said, with Skilled Trades Partners, finding stable work and consistent benefits as a construction project manager in the greater New England area has never been easier. That’s because we’re not like your typical skilled trades recruitment agency. We, too, come from hardworking, blue-collar homes, and that’s why we’ve created this platform to help all of our fellow tradesmen and women find satisfying, well-paid work.
The hiring process is simple. If you have at least one year of experience working in your field in the New England area, just sign up and create an account on our website, and you’ll be shown a world of opportunities to apply to in your area. Just enter the requested information and anything else you’d like to add, and then wait to hear back!
Why Find Work With Skilled Trades Partners?
Not only is the process of finding work as simple as can be, but it also comes with great benefits because we know how the uncertainty of freelance contracting can create unwanted stress and how the bare-bones benefits and pay can cause preventable financial strain and stability issues. As such, rather than your run-of-the-mill temp-agency set-up, when you become an employee through Skilled Trades Partners, you are a trusted partner that receives full-time employee benefits.
These benefits include:
Paid Holidays, Sick Days, and Vacation Days
Time off spent with family, feeling healthier after a bout of sickness, or simply relaxing and rebalancing your mental health—these things should never put you out of a paycheck. That’s why we proudly offer all of our tradespeople paid days off, whether they’re holidays, sick days, or well-earned vacation days!
High-Quality PPE and Tool Reimbursement
Safety is paramount with work like ours. We’ll provide you with all of the personal protective equipment that you need to stay safe on the job. Moreover, we know safety also entails the use of quality, functioning equipment. So if you need new gear or replacement tools, we’ve got you covered there too.
Christmas, Thanksgiving, and “Blue-Back” Bonuses
We know that most companies nowadays want to get by doing the least possible for their employees—that’s not us. To show our immense appreciation for the intense and consistent work that our tradespeople put in day in and day out, we offer bonuses and giveaways as frequently as possible. Whether it’s our quarterly blue-collar respect giveaway or our Christmas bonus to ensure that everyone gets a gift under the tree each year, know that Skilled Trades Partners has your back.
Get in Touch With Skilled Trades Partners Today
So, you’ve got the education, experience, and drive to be a top-notch construction project manager. All that’s left for you to do is partner with us here at Skilled Trades Partners today! We’re always looking for more honest and hardworking tradespeople to add to our roster.
And if what we’ve laid out here in this blog sounds good to you, then please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today through our contact page or with the phone number listed below for your area. We look forward to a long and fruitful trades partnership!