Laborers work in a variety of job settings – from residential to commercial – and perform a broad scope of duties such as preparing the jobsite, loading and unloading material, building scaffolds, operating equipment and assisting other craftworkers.

Some laborers work with road crews to assist on infrastructure construction. These laborers learn traffic patterns so that they can direct traffic to help other tradesmen and tradeswomen work safely.

Many construction laborers are considered helpers, working ahead of cement masons or other trades to move materials and tools to where they are needed.

Work Conditions and Skills Needed

As suggested by the title, the work of a laborer is very labor intensive. Laborers need to be in good physical shape, as they may spend the entire day performing physical tasks.

A laborer should be able to stand, crouch, climb, lift and walk all day, as there is constantly work for a laborer to do on the jobsite.

Laborers should also be prepared to work in any condition. Their work may be outdoors or indoors at any time of the year.

It is helpful for laborers to have some knowledge of multiple trades as they may be helping an electrician one day and a cement mason the next.

Apprenticeship

Men and women who wish to start a career as a laborer should complete an  Registered Apprenticeship Program with the LiUNA Training and Education Fund, which is the training entity for the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA).

A laborer apprentice earns a livable wage and great benefits, while learning on-the-job from experienced journeymen. Additionally, they receive mandatory classroom instruction from trained and experienced instructors.