High Demand in a Construction Industry - Essay Example

Results and Discussion The construction industry can be defined as "the building or assembly of any infrastructure on a site or sites" (quote This industry is in high demand due to a rise in both economic activities and population. As a career, construction offers individuals the opportunity to start at the bottom of a company as a laborer, and move up the ranks over time to become a project manager and even general manager. This industry and career path was chosen to study to gain an understanding of individuals' perceptions of the industry, how it has changed, if it was viewed as a career or a job, what influenced the workers into joining the industry, and how this industry impacts their social and personal lives. In contemporary Western cultures it is possible for individuals to work in 5-10 different occupations before retirement. However, current thinking on careers tends to be conditioned by older and sometimes outmoded concepts of what a career ought to be. The relatively stable patterns that many in New Zealand enjoyed from 1945 - 1985 represents a past of relational contracts, steady advancement and mutual loyalty which is difficult to replicate in today's society (Elkin, Jackson & Inkson, 2004). A study conducted by Michael Arthur and his colleagues at the University of Auckland looked in depth at the careers of 75 representative New Zealanders from 1985 to 1995 (Arthur, Inkson & Pringle, 1999). Arthur's study found that individuals moved between employers and between jobs with relative ease. Very few of these moves were upward, career building moves such as promotion. For example, Arthur found that more than 60% of the people in the sample changed occupations in the 10 years covered by the study. Eighty five percent moved between organisations. The Centre for Research on Work, Education and Research Limited conducted case studies of four industries including the construction industry. The findings of this study found: skilled tradesmen who tended to be older and unprepared or unwilling to maintain their own business or to seek work with other contractors; relatively unskilled but experienced men who also tended to be older and for whom the construction industry met their needs for earning and effort. For some this was not their preferred working option but they reported that they accepted that this was how they would live the rest of their lives. (Centre for Research on Work, Education and Research Limited, 2004). Some skilled tradesmen in construction who had become independent contractors in the past when made redundant or by choice were reported as being worse off financially than previously. These men were a supply of labour because their alternative was to work as a sub-contractor on private building sites where they might, for example, work for 60-70 hours a week but earn only an effective $7-$8 an hour. Researchers claim that people employed in the construction industry are classified as realistic. They have mechanical abilities, like working outdoors with tools and objects and they prefer dealing with things rather than people. Construction workers tend to like practical and physical activities and they are task orientated. The construction sector is highly labour intensive. Whereas other industries can increase production by using a mix of more people and more machinery, construction is much more reliant on people. Work Environment The construction industry is seen by some people as hazardous or dangerous. The injury rate per thousand workers for the Total Construction Industry calculated from ACC Entitlement Claims Data as a whole for the 2004 year was approximately 30 injuries per thousand workers. The rate of injury was relatively stable over the 2001-2004 period even though New Zealand experienced somewhat of a 'boom' period for the industry, with many new and inexperienced workers entering the industry. (New Zealand Construction Industry Council, 2005). On the other hand, injury costs for the industry over the period 2001 to 2004 show a downward trend. As an example, in 2001 the average new injury entitlement payments cost approximately $7,500 per worker, whilst in 2004 it was $5,000. Reasons for joining the Industry Some respondents felt that they were in the industry to enjoy the outdoor life. They did not really want to be very close to the families. They felt their thoughts were much better when away from the families. "It was so we could work outside really, didn't want families in it, being thoughts, our thoughts are so much better" (John, pg.1, quote 2). Others felt that as a labour intensive industry, it would help one keep physically fit. "Labour intensive as well, keeps you nice and fit, don't have to go to the gym really, don't have to fork out hundreds of dollars a week" (Matt, pg. 1, quote 3). Some workers felt being in the construction industry helped them travel and see different parts of the country."Yeah, get to see different parts of the country" (John, pg. 1, quote 6). Another reason given by the respondents was variety in the work being carried out, which is not possible in a factory job where you carry out the same job day in and day out. The prospect of meeting different people and socializing with them was another motivating factor behind joining the construction industry. "Get to see the sights, definitely, well its not factory, its not tedious work, your always in a different spot working doing, I mean we are basically just drain laying, but we do other stuff as well, so its um, you get a variety at the end of the day, your just not punching through at a factory punching out the same thing day after day, so its good selection, good variety, you meet different people, good social aspect, yeah" (John, pg.2, quote 7). One of the workers also called his work his hobby. "Its more like a hobby at times, fun, meeting heaps of different people" (John, pg,quote 16) As to the workers' position within the construction industry as a career or just temporary work until something better was found, most respondents replied that they were happy to work as freelancers in the industry. They had the option of working in one field within the industry, gaining experience and a certificate and moving on to another field and company. "Yeah, so your basically your own boss and you do contracts, so you know there's a job in Auckland and you hear about it, so you submit your application, then you do that then move on, then go to a different company and all that" (John, pg 3, quote 13. ). A worker could join at the lowest rank as a laborer or drain layer or truck driver and move up to the rank of a foreman, and later, a Project Manager. "Well it depends on what sort of construction you are in, but there are plenty of different traits, you can get your diggers, tractors and rollers, you can get all different sorts of licences, so basically like in your fullas different field ay, you can get so many different qualifications within that, whatever your doing, whether it may be you HT license or diggers, you can become a drain layer, whatever you wana do, there's so many different door ways opening that you can basically pick and choose, I mean you can come here and just be the lackey, who all he does is just fetches stuff for people, then turn around and become the digger operator, or you know ticket in drain laying, or what ever" (John, pg. quote 20) Monetary Benefits Most of the workers agreed that money did not influence them to enter the industry; rather it was other factors, which motivated them to work in the construction industry. "By law, your spose to sign a contract, and it will state in your contract what your boss wants, but every contract is open to negotiation at the end of the day, you don't have to sign your life away if you don't want to" Chuck, quote 67 While there are a few companies, which offer minimum wages, not all companies tend to comply with the rule. It is up to the worker to negotiate the wages with the employer. "There's a lot of guys that have minimal experience and so some employers, I'm not saying all employers, will jump on that wagon and offer them the minimum wage, where guys with tickets and stuff can go in and say this is what I want, and them um, they guys will accept it or they don't, and 9 times out of 10 you don't get the chance to start up with them, so its not too bad out there, you know, in our industry especially in New Zealand, OZ is a little bit harder, yeah, but New Zealand not too bad" (John:quote 69.) There were not many women working in the field, as the industry is mainly perceived as a labour -intensive one, in which women can hardly play a role, except maybe as truck drivers or machinery operators. "I cant say ive really worked with many women" (John: quote 92.) "Most of them are just operating or driving trucks" (Matt, quote 93) As to socializing while on the job, there was a spirit of camaraderie in everything they did, whether work or play. They all felt they were part of a team or gang and were cronies in all their actions. "Yea, yea touching on what we said earlier, we get different crews that come on site like I said earlier so its good you meet a huge variety of people, you meet some that you wont get along with but you meet people some of the time you wont forget you no you will always remember some people, they will scratch your back and you will scratch there's in return, you tend to help each other out regardless on who you work for, you just have to its just the way it is. Your all doing the same thing at the end of the day, your in the construction industry, so yea yea you meet heaps of good people" (Chuck: 119) Compliance to specifications and schedules With respect to the changes in the industry in the last few years, some respondents said that the industry had now become more organized and politically correct. Work has to be carried out much ahead of schedules and everything has to be reported to the head-office. While earlier, it was more of a practical job only, now the trend is to follow the book, including rules and building specifications. You have to be aware of the developments in the field, especially the technological developments, to be able to get a good job in the sector. "Everything s more picky aye, you no you gotta be on the ball, everything has to be done in the office a week or two ahead of time" (Matt: 108) Lifestyle While the workers themselves were happy with their jobs, a few agreed that their partners and families would be happy if they changed their profession and took up a low risk job and spent more time with the family. "But it does get hot. But as far as my partner was concerned if I gave up drain laying today she would be quite happy yea, she doesn't want to here any stories about when a banks collapsed and its just about took me out or some scary stories that have happened during the day, she just, that's it she doesn't want to know anything about it basically because at the end of the day she's probably thinking at the back of her mind that it could have been me under there aye" (Chuck, quote 121) Conclusion: After the results and discussion, we can broadly conclude that a majority of the men join the construction industry as a matter of choice. They are happy on the job, as for some people, it is the pursuit of a hobby. Some workers enjoy the physical labor and feel the work keeps them fit and saves them money, which would otherwise have been spent on fitness classes and gyms etc. They do not seem to be much bothered about the earning potential and are happy even if the employer does not stick to the minimum wages rule. They are happy to be working at the lowest runk as laborers. In spite of being offered a foreman's job, one of the respondents declined it, being happy with the layer's job. As the majority of them are freelancers, they keep shifting from place to place and love traveling, seeing new places and meeting new people. A few did appear to be ambitious and made sure they were issued certificates for the work done, and wanted to move up the ranks. There seemed to be an eagerness to learn new skills on the job, and get trained in operating machines and vehicles. The group under study seems to be happy with the flexibility the industry offers, when compared to a monotonous factory job. They seemed to have their own closed working group or "gang" which meets all their socializing needs. Some are in the industry as they enjoy the freedom of being away from the family. Aspects worthy of further exploration by researchers: Correlation between education levels and job /post held in the industry A study to analyze how the workers had progressed after joining the construction industry in financial, skill-addition and social up gradation terms over time. A study to analyze how many employers followed the minimum wage act. A study to analyze the social and familial compatibility of construction workers A study to analyze how many workers were actually being issued certificates for the trainings /freelance jobs they undertook A study to analyze the motivation levels and number of workers wanting to upgrade their skills and knowledge to according to industry standards. Word count: 366 Summary of Key Findings for Participants (250 words - 1 page maximum) A majority of the men join the construction industry as a matter of choice. For some people, it is the pursuit of a hobby. Some workers enjoy the physical labor and feel the work keeps them fit. Each worker was a team player, and believed in team-work. They do not seem to be much bothered about the earning potential. They keep shifting from place to place and love traveling, seeing new places and meeting new people. A few did appear to be ambitious and reached the rank of a Project Manager. Eagerness to learn new skills on the job, and get trained in operating machines and vehicles Limited job loyalty. The respondents were willing to move from company to company for better or the same prospects Read More