MasTec, Inc., is an American leading specialty contractor. The company designs, engineers, and constructs infrastructure for oil and natural gas pipelines, electric power transmission and generation, turnkey solutions for water and sewer, specialized foundation construction, alternative-fuel power plants, solar energy facilities, wind farms, natural gas power plants, and much more.

The company employs more than 22,000 skilled professionals. MasTec has been in business for more than eight decades and has established itself as an industry leader. The company is a Fortune 500 company. The company headquarters are based in Coral Gables, Florida. The annual revenue was $4.208 billion as of 2015.

Company Subsidiaries

There are several company subsidiaries. Among those subsidiaries are Nsoro Acquisition LLC, MasTec North America Inc., Wanzek Construction Inc., QuadGen Wireless Solutions, Kingsley Constructors Inc., E Source Services LLC, Bottom Line Services LLC, Precision Acquisition Corporation, Big Country Energy Services LP, and more.

These subsidiaries are multinational contractors that build high voltage electric transmission lines, wind farms, oil and natural gas pipelines, and solar power facilities. The company is constantly hiring new team members. To work for MasTec, you must have undergone extensive training and have the skills that you need to perform the job professionally and productively.

Specialized Training

Associated Training Services (ATS), a family-owned and operated school since 1959, offers a variety of training programs, including heavy equipment training, NCCCO certified mobile crane training, NCCCO rigger level-I training, and HDD horizontal direction drilling training, and Class-A CDL training. Through career services, ATS works with MasTec. MasTec hires students who have participated in the various educational and training programs offered at ATS.

To learn more about ATS and the different training programs available, call (800) 383-7364. Financial aid is available, and ATS is a veteran-friendly school that participates in the GI Bill. ATS works with a variety of employers that offer individuals the opportunity to establish themselves in the industry and build lifelong careers.

Looking ahead to 2020 Dodge Data & Analytics released in 2020 Dodge Construction Outlook, which is a mainstay in the industry for business planning and forecasting.

According to the report, which was released at the end of October, new construction starts are expected to slip to $776 billion in the new year, which is a 4 percent decline from the estimated level of activity for 2019.

The chief economist with Dodge Data & Analytics said that the recovery in construction starts that started in 2010 after the Great Recession’s aftermath is ending. After a 3 percent increase in construction starts in 2018, those starts fell 1 percent in 2019.

A Breakdown of the Construction Outlook

• The report indicates that the dollar value of single-family housing starts is expected to fall by 3 percent in the new year and the number of units will lose 5 percent.
• Multi-family construction was an early leader in the post Great Recession recovery, seeing 8 years of growth since 2009. Multi-family vacancy rates have moved sideways throughout the last year, suggesting slower economic growth will affect the construction market next year. They expect multifamily construction to drop 15 percent in units and 13 percent dollar-wise.
• Commercial building starts will drop 6 percent as far as dollar value goes.
• Institutional construction starts will remain even with the level it saw in 2019.
• Public works construction starts will move up 4 percent seeing growth across all the project types.
• Construction projects for electric utilities and gas plants will drop 27 percent after seeing 83 percent growth in 2019.

However, despite the drops in new construction projects, the demand for those who work in the construction industry is continuing to climb. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects an 11 percent growth in the employment of construction workers from 2018 to 2028.

Reports have indicated that there were 4,000 construction jobs added during May 2019. The Associated General Contractors of America reported that during the last 12 months there has been a 3 percent increase, which totals 215,000 new jobs. That is a significant construction jobs increase.

The number of those in the construction industry looking for employment is at a record low. The lowered unemployment rate and the increase in jobs are being credited to a tight job market instead of a decrease in projects. Many experts expect the trend to continue.

According to the Association, the construction industry’s unemployment rate is even lower than the unemployment rate throughout the country overall. While the average salary in the construction industry is 10 percent greater than employment in the private sector, the number of openings for workers in the construction field continues to climb.

Looking At Unemployment Rates

In May 2018, the construction industry had an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent. One year later – in May 2019 – the unemployment rate for the industry had dropped to 3.2 percent. Looking at the numbers, that is a drop from 415,000 to 294,000 construction workers. Both the unemployment rate and the actual number of unemployed construction workers were at their lowest since 2000.

A government report indicated that in April 2019 there were 360,000 construction job openings in April 2019. That figure was the highest in the last 19 years of recordkeeping for that specific detail. The average hourly rate in the construction industry is $30.68, and that amount is about 10 percent higher than the average rate of $27.83 in the private sector.

Since there is a limited number of workers available, many companies offer construction workers better benefits and are increasing pay rates. More construction companies are working diligently to recruit the most experienced and better-trained workers to fill any open positions.

Getting The Right Training

If you are interested in a construction career, you should get the proper training so you can be prepared for the job. Associated Training Services (ATS) offers a variety of hands-on training programs. Call us today to learn how we can help you get on track to a new career.

President Donald Trump and Congressional Democratic leaders agreed to aim for an infrastructure package worth $2 trillion recently, but many don’t think Congressional Republicans will agree because there are questions as to where the funding for the package would come from. However, the package is still in the works.

This infrastructure project would be designed to upgrade and improve the country’s aging infrastructure, which includes bridges, roads, internet, telephone, electric, sewage, and water systems. These all play a vital role in the development and prosperity of the communities.

The agreement was made because the infrastructure investment will create jobs and make the country more economically competitive with other countries. This means that there will be more opportunities and a greater demand for those who are trained and who can work in different construction roles.

The Need For More Construction Workers

There will be a greater need for heavy equipment operators, such as those who drive big trucks, dozers, graders, and even operate cranes. In addition, there will be a need for professional truck drivers who can transport the heavy equipment where it needs to go.

ATS offers training that can help with the different roles that will need to be filled with infrastructure projects. These jobs include:

• Heavy equipment operators
• Rigging and signalperson
• Directional drilling
• Mobile crane operators
• Tower crane operators
• CDL training
• Utility Locating
• Other specialized training

ATS accepts financial assistance, including veterans’ benefits. If you would like to learn more about ATS and how we can help you prepare for a career-building infrastructure, call (800) 383-7364 today.

On any given day there are thousands of construction projects going on around the globe. But there are some construction projects of mammoth proportions. Here are some of those highly revered construction projects of the World’s largest scale:

Dubailand – This Dubai project is huge. One of the world’s largest. So big three Disney World theme parks could fit inside. This $64 billion venture consists of 278 kilometers and it includes sports venues, eco-tourism, theme parks, science attractions, healthcare facilities, science-related attractions, and even hotels. Inside Dubailand will be the largest hotel in the world, containing a 10-million-square-foot mall and 6,500 rooms. This project is set for a 2025 completion date.

International Space Station – The International Space Station circles the earth every 92 minutes. It was built by a consortium consisting of 5 space agencies and 15 nations, it has construction costs exceeding $60 billion. The eventual costs are anticipated to exceed $1 trillion. And plans are for it to have the ability to house up to a million occupants.

London Crossrail Project – The first underground train system in the world is continuing to grow with 26 more miles of the tunnel being added to connect 40 stations. This project is expected to cost about $23 billion. It is being completed in phases, with the first section becoming operational in 2018 and the last section being in service by 2020.

Bejing Airport – This airport in China saw its first phase completed for the 2008 Olympiad. Further expansion is expected to be done by 2025. Zaha Hadid designed Terminal 1, which incorporates several design concepts of sustainability while presented in a futuristic approach.

South-to-North Water Transfer Project in China – About 50% of China’s population resides in North China. That area only has about 20% of the water resources available in that country. To address the issue, China funded a major construction project consisting of three huge canals, each measuring more than 600 miles in length and carrying water from the three largest rivers in China to the North. It will take 48 years for the project to be completed.

Jubail II in Saudi Arabia – This industrial project spans 22 years with the second phase, an $11 billion expansion, getting underway in 2014. It will include miles of railways, at least 100 industrial plants, roads and highways, and an oil refinery with 350,000 barrels produced daily. The entire project is set to be done by 2024.

Several major construction projects have been announced recently. The largest project getting underway is the Time Square development which is budgeted for $2.5 billion. The TSX Broadway project is set to start construction by Winter 2019. This project will include the demolition of an existing hotel and the construction of a new 550,000-square-foot, 46-story building around the historic Palace Theater. This construction project will include 75,000 square feet of retail space, which will include 100 feet of storefront directly facing Times Square. Also, there will be a 669-room luxury hotel. In addition, $50 million will be used to lift the 105-year-old Palace Theater, thoroughly renovate it, and then incorporate it into the new building’s third floor. There will be a stage that extends over Times Square, a huge 18,000-square-foot LED screen, and a beverage and food terrace. The experiential retail segment of the project is expected to at least 15 million people every year with its entertainment, creativity, innovation, and engagement. The project developers have planned construction to wrap up in 2021, and it has been set up, so it will not interfere with the vehicular and pedestrian traffic of the area.

Other Major Construction Projects

Seattle has approved a $700 million redevelopment project for KeyArena. The city hopes the new arena will host a National Basketball Association franchise eventually and a National Hockey League team. The project is designed to create a “world-class, multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility.” The construction agreement says that features that are designated as landmarks, such as the current roof, will be retained and the south façade will be removed. Five buildings will be demolished. The project includes the construction of two plazas, a loading area, a surface parking lot, a below-grade parking area, a skate park, and a new arena. It is expected to seat 19,000 people.

A $500 million mixed-use project is set to give Hyde Park a boost. This project will include $60 million of infrastructure and the completion of the 133-room Inn at Bellefield. The project will include 59 residences of various architectural styles, hiking, and biking trails through a nature preserve, an agricultural complex, a year-round farmers market, wine shops, a market square with restaurants, two hotels, specialty food stores, a village green, conference center, and a performing arts center and amphitheater. The project will use eco-conscious construction materials and solar energy and geothermal heating will be used. The hotel construction component is expected to create 500 jobs by itself.

Construction Jobs To Be Available

With the increasing number of construction projects will come an increase in the need for construction workers. Many of these positions will require specialized training, which will enable these workers to perform their jobs accurately and safely. To learn more about ATS Specialized Training, call (800) 678-8149 today.

Look at any construction site and you will see the big machines going about their work, cranes, excavators, trucks, and so on, all play a vital role in any construction project. What you may not pay so much attention to are all the people on the site working around those machines, the laborer, so a common question is, why are they there?

If we think about construction sites, and what goes on, while the heavy lifting, whether that is actually lifting by cranes, or moving heavy materials, digging and moving soil, or drilling, is all done by machine, none of them can operate entirely alone. It is laborers on site who do much of the construction work, using hand power tools, moving materials into position after they have been dropped in bulk, carrying out assembly, and other skilled work within the construction where large machines simply cannot reach. All of these things are carried out by laborers, but that is just a fraction of the workload the site laborers will carry out on any construction project.

It is laborers that are the lifeblood of a construction site, they make it tick bringing everything together, they, as much as heavy machinery in their own way, power the construction industry. That is why laborers are so important, and why the skilled laborer has seen an increase in demand and increase in pay while other industries go the opposite way.

Laborer

Laborers do need specific skills to, of course, use hand tools, jackhammers, erecting scaffolding, forming up concrete, and other tasks that they perform every day all require a level of understanding of the process to carry them out well, and importantly, safely. They should also be able to read plans on-site, and as such, laborers are skilled workers, carrying out essential tasks that often form a structural part of a construction project, but those skills are not all a laborer needs.

The job is physically demanding, lifting and carrying materials, working hand tools and powered machines all require a level of physical strength and stamina, and in combination with that, the coordination and dexterity to carry out assembly tasks or operate small machinery. Safety training is also important, not just for the work they do, but awareness of other safety issues on site.

For instance, for a laborer working on a site with large cranes or a lot of heavy machinery, awareness of what is going on around the site and good safety training is essential, laborers are particularly vulnerable with such large machines moving around, many of which provide the operator with limited vision around or below.

Skilled laborers perform essential tasks on any site, not just in construction, but in mining and other industries too. While technology has advanced the capabilities of our machines, the laborers are still the driving force on any project.

Homes are becoming more expensive, and ways of reducing costs, for the builder and the buyer, have been in demand for some time. One of the most popular ways to reduce both cost and site construction time has been the Modular Homes approach.

Modular homes, also known as factory-built, system-built, or even prefabs (short for prefabricated), are not new. In fact, after WW2, thousands of prefabs were used to rebuild the housing stock in the UK, it’s a tried and tested approach that has now been completely refined.

The Difference in Modular Homes

What set these modern modular homes apart from the standard constructed homes we are used to, is that they are built in parts in factories, and then shipped to the site to be assembled on permanent foundations. To ensure strength and longevity, building regulations for modular homes are very precise, and often exceed the requirements of traditionally built homes.

This approach does two things, first, it reduces overall construction costs, with only the final installation being done on-site, they are not affected by weather or other delays as can happen on-site. The production line nature of the component pieces of the home means that they can be produced much more quickly without sacrificing any quality, benefiting everyone.

Secondly, on-site, construction is simple. First, the new foundations are laid, as there would be for any new home, after that, the components are shipped to the site and then put together. With the bulk of the work done in the factory, a new home can be completed in just a few weeks, much faster than the traditional approach. However, many people think that this comes at a cost, with modular homes all looking exactly the same, you have to take what is on offer. That used to be the case, but today, modular homes are customizable, and you really can create the home of your dreams with the modular approach, and also save a lot of money in the process.

One of the biggest challenges on any site is the delays due to weather issues, and for all-year-round construction projects such as home building, this can be a particular issue. For anyone working on-site, that causes a lot of issues, and a faster process that avoids such delays is beneficial to everyone. The modular home sections arrive complete, and they are lifted into position using a crane. Each section is added in turn until the house is finished, a little like putting Lego bricks together to make a structure.

Modular homes are growing in popularity thanks to fast construction and cheaper costs when compared with traditional homes, this is not only good for home buyers but represents a valuable, year-round opportunity for crane operators. Home construction is changing, and modular homes are definitely the homes of the future.

A career in construction is a great option, it is in demand, and with so much work being done all around the country, allows you to be a part of what is really an ongoing move to rebuild America for the 21^st century. That is something to be proud of, but when choosing a construction job or new career, you always want to make sure you pick something that offers the most opportunity for the future. In our experience, these are the fastest-growing construction jobs in the country, and they offer the best opportunity for anyone looking to build a new, prosperous career.

Equipment Operators

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Equipment Operators are not just in demand now but are expected to see a 12% growth over the next few years, and that means plenty of work for anyone with the right skills. From excavators to bulldozers, skid steers, dump trucks, and any other kind of heavy machinery operators, there are opportunities right across the country.

As new projects of all sizes are launched, and the infrastructure expenditure to refit the country for a new century continues, construction is a healthy industry with a bright future. Within those projects, the machinery operators that shape the sites and perform the work needed for roads, homes, factories, and other building works are required in increasing numbers. Currently, manufacturers are struggling to keep up with the demand for machinery, showing just how much demand there is right now, and every machine needs an operator.

With well-paid work and good conditions, starting a career as an operator is a great choice, with the right training you can begin your new career much faster than you imagine, and start building that lucrative career.

Construction Workers

Just behind operators, with project growth of 11%, construction workers are in demand too. It should not be surprising, because every site needs construction workers to do all those things machines cannot. A skilled worker can dig trenches, mix and pour concrete, assemble components, and so on, the basics of any construction project.

As the industry grows, so does the need for construction workers, and again, with high demand comes increasing wages and a wider choice of sites to work on. A career as a construction worker is a great opportunity, with room for growth both in demand and position, thanks to easy access to high-quality training.

Crane Operators

Finally, crane operators, who while not quite at the growth expectation of the others at a projected 9%, are still in demand, Qualified crane operators are always in demand in all kinds of construction work, from large projects to home building, not only is it a lucrative career, but with so many options, it can be a varied one too.

Choosing a career as a crane operator makes sense, with skills that are always in demand all year round, providing a good, reliable income for the foreseeable future.

Do you know what a “green job” is? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Green Job Initiative is growing quickly and these jobs are popping up all over the place.

Green jobs are either:

1. Jobs in businesses that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources.

1. Jobs in which workers’ duties involve making their establishment’s production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources.

Being Trained To Do Green Jobs Is Good For YOUR Future

For heavy equipment operators, being able to say you know how to work in an environmentally friendly fashion means you are highly qualified and hireable. As the environment and natural resources become prioritized, so will green construction jobs. That’s why ATS Heavy Equipment Operator Training School offers green jobs and training. You’ll get the training that qualifies you for the green job initiative and you’ll get the help to find the green jobs where you are located.

These green jobs won’t just be the occasional homeowner wanting to keep the big trees alive while they build their house. It certainly includes individuals, but the Green Job Initiative means that these jobs will be in the commercial construction industry. That’s government projects, infrastructure, and more. It’s big money and it’s going to take heavy equipment operators who are able to do the job the way it needs to be done today, instead of the way it used to be done.

This change in the way heavy equipment is used is slow. You are still going to find jobs where it’s old school. But since there is a growing demand for jobs where it’s ecologically sensitive and new school, ATS provides an awareness of both and competency across the board. You will have a heavy equipment career in the future if you’ve been trained at ATS.