Construction

Breaking the glass ceiling: Encouraging women to explore engineering careers

October 29, 2019 By Construction Publications, Inc.

by Lucia Pía Torres Modern society – and its ability to manage technological changes, while also combining classic thought with modernity and coexistence with advancement – leaves no alternative but to build on a foundation of gender, social and culture diversity. In a globalized world, every profession or occupation is interconnected with technology; it is clear that we need more engineers, scientists and technologists. In order to achieve our goals and develop these professions, we need to be more inclusiveRead More

Excavator uses 3D design data for greater precision

October 15, 2019 By Construction Publications, Inc.

Komatsu augmented its intelligent Machine Control lineup with the addition of the new PC290LCi-11 that provides first-to-last-pass accuracy. Like its predecessors, the excavator features Komatsu’s unique sensor package – stroke-sensing hydraulic cylinders, an inertial measurement unit sensor and global navigation satellite system antennas – that utilizes 3D design data to accurately check its position against the target elevation and semi-automatically limit overexcavation. “The PC290LCi-11 is perfect for applications where customers are looking for good stability and working range. It hasRead More

Proactive Dozing Control logic: Interprets data, makes decisions to mirror seasoned operator

October 1, 2019 By Construction Publications, Inc.

When Komatsu unveiled its revolutionary intelligent Machine Control system in 2013, the integrated, mast- and cable-free, semi-automated GPS program promised increased production and precision grading. It delivered, and now Komatsu is taking the technology to another level with Proactive Dozing Control logic. “The first iteration of intelligent Machine Control was a starting point,” explained Komatsu Product Marketing Manager Derek Morris. “Once that was accepted in the market and became a viable part of a construction site, we focused on howRead More

High-paying careers:
Construction affords opportunities with substantial pay and benefits

September 17, 2019 By Construction Publications, Inc.

There’s no better time to work in the construction industry. With a growing shortage of skilled workers, salaries remain high and career opportunities are plentiful. The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) released its annual Construction Craft Salary Survey, which lists the average annual salaries of craft professionals from industrial and commercial construction firms across the country. Average annual salaries ranged from $47,700 to more than $92,000. As high as these salaries are, the reality isRead More

mechanical worker holding a ratchet wrench

Consider construction: Pay often higher than jobs requiring bachelor’s degree

September 3, 2019 By Construction Publications, Inc.

by Deanna Quintana As our children grow up, we continually ingrain in them that there is one route to success – a four-year degree. However, higher education is not solely defined by a bachelor’s degree. There are other paths that will guide them in the right direction before entering the workforce. While there are misconceptions about the construction and skilled-labor industry, numbers prove that there are millions of jobs available in this field and compared to college graduates, they’re well-paid.Read More

Getting to grade faster:
Contractor eliminates overcutting with Komatsu excavator

August 13, 2019 By Construction Publications, Inc.

When Randy Ellis and his wife, Trisha, prepared to build a home on the family’s ranch, he was shocked at the price to purchase 300 loads of dirt for the pad. Instead of paying for the material, Ellis bought a dump truck and a rubber-tire backhoe, dug a pond on his property and used the dirt for the house pad. While he didn’t realize it at the time, this was the origin of what today is a successful earthwork andRead More

‘Our brand of choice’: Contractor shares keys to high production, cost savings

July 16, 2019 By Construction Publications, Inc.

Good decisions are often directly tied to profitability and prosperity. Justin Lott, Co-owner/Senior Vice President of Southern Transport & Equipment, LLC, learned that lesson after completing fire school. “I had my sights set on being a firefighter, but I had to finish EMT training as well,” recalled Lott. “The summer after I graduated, I took a job working for an oil-field company to make some money. I quickly realized that type of work paid much better than I was projectedRead More

In a tight labor market consider rehiring former employees

June 3, 2019 By Construction Publications, Inc.

by Ranger Kidwell-Ross The largest complaint that I hear from most contractors is their inability to get good workers. That situation hasn’t improved with the current low unemployment rate, combined with what is fast becoming a shortage of immigrant personnel. One source you may not have considered are your former employees, often called “boomerang” workers. This is yet another reason to maintain a cordial relationship with employees when they leave for what they perceive as a better opportunity. Why notRead More

African American Construction Worker Carrying plywood

Are women the answer to construction’s labor shortage?

May 21, 2019 By Construction Publications, Inc.

While a majority (79 percent) of construction firms are planning to expand their payrolls this year, nearly an equal percentage are concerned about their ability to hire qualified workers, according to survey results by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and Sage Construction and Real Estate. “With overall unemployment now at the lowest level in nearly 50 years, contractors are having an ever harder time finding workers with or without construction experience,” said Ken Simonson, ACG’s Chief Economist. “AverageRead More

New Path to Skilled-Trade Jobs

April 23, 2019 By Construction Publications, Inc.

Thanks to budget cuts and a growing emphasis on preparing teens to enter four-year colleges or universities, many trade-related programs have been reduced or cut completely from the public school system. This has shrunk the pool of qualified workers who can trade their caps and gowns for hard hats and steel toes upon graduation. One strategy delivering positive results is to tailor education that fits the prevailing college-bound mindset of today’s students. Such programs allow young people to have theRead More