Industry Spotlight: Veterans in Construction

Here at Orion, we have helped more than 1000 veterans begin exciting new civilian careers in the construction industry. From homebuilding to commercial to industrial construction, these veterans bring valuable experience and skills to careers such as Project Engineers, Project Managers, Estimators, Superintendents / Assistant Superintendents, Construction Manager, and Leadership Development Programs. Below are a few examples of how veterans fit into this industry.

Project Engineers

Particularly in the construction industry, veterans utilize their technical degrees, project management skills and leadership experiences to work in a variety of areas including road, bridge, or commercial construction. Project Engineers work with the superintendents on site to ensure the technical specifications, proper materials, compliance issues and rate of work are being met. These candidates generally have experience from the military in the Corps of Engineers or as a Seabee in the Navy, bringing a powerful combination of real world experience and demonstrated leadership skills.

Estimators

Drawing on veterans’ analytical and thoroughness of work skills, our client companies have discovered that this sought after position can be filled by Junior Military Officers. Graduating from some of the nation's top colleges and universities, our candidates are proficient in calculating statistical data, using material price lists, cost per man hour, historical data and equipment costs to estimate projects and future developments.

Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent

Veterans bring strong leadership, excellent communication skills and an understanding of how to drive timelines, resources, and manpower. They have overall responsibility for the safe and efficient operations of their project site and ensure that quality standards are being enforced. They are very effective at initiating and maintaining a relationship with contractors and clients.

Leadership Development Programs

We have created and implemented Leadership Development Programs for several Fortune 500 companies. We design a first-class leadership program targeted to recruit transitioning military candidates. Our past Leadership Development Programs have spanned several years and resulted in an average retention rate of 90% after two years.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as overall construction activity expands, positions like Construction Managers will be needed. “Population and business growth will result in the construction of new residences, office buildings, retail outlets, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and other structures over the coming decade,” the report explains, “Also, the need to improve portions of the national infrastructure will spur employment growth as roads, bridges, and sewer pipe systems are upgraded or replaced….In addition, a growing emphasis on retrofitting buildings to make them more energy efficient should create jobs for general contractors…”

The report goes on to say that while employment growth will provide many new jobs, a substantial number of construction managers positions, in particular, are expected to retire over the next decade, resulting in additional job openings. Veterans represent an excellent answer to this workforce attrition problem.

The projected need for this position goes hand-in-hand with many other titles in the construction industry. In fact, employment of Cost Estimators is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.

Companies like Siemens, PulteGroup, Lennar Homes, Clark Construction, and Taylor Morrison have turned to Orion to help fill their ranks with military candidates ideally suited for these types of positions. Get started recruiting top talent for your construction company here.

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