Misconceptions about the Construction Industry

There are a lot of incorrect stereotypes surrounding construction. You often hear, “Construction is full of rough men”, “construction workers are not book smart” and, my favorite, “women don’t work in the construction industry.” All of them are wrong. Construction work is filled with very detail-oriented problem solvers, people with specialized skills, and people from all backgrounds. While some stereotypes are true, others are exaggerations at best. This has created a negative perception of the construction industry as a profession and, in my opinion, has led to a labor shortage. No one wants to go into a field where they would be considered a second-class citizen.

In movies, you see the men standing around a construction site, doing nothing and harassing pedestrians. Don’t let what you see in movies color the way you see construction workers. While harassment may occur from a construction worker, it is not the “inherent nature” of people in the construction industry. At Hilltop Concrete, we always say we’re all about family because we all have families and we work together as a family unit. We work in harsh weather conditions, on difficult jobs, and sometimes with difficult situations to make sure we can provide for them. We do not have time or energy to harass random people and I imagine that is the same for a lot of individuals. Remember, always do your homework before hiring any contractor and check their reviews for complaints.

Another misconception about the construction industry is that construction workers are not “book smart.” Construction is a great industry from the ground up. Some companies start workers in the field before allowing them to move into management positions so they understand the process from start to finish. For example, a fresh-faced college graduate, with their shiny new Construction Management Degree may gain the experience he needs working first on-site on a project. He can gain knowledge and experience while still making enough money to support his family and pay those very large student loans off. Hard work is a shared tenant for everyone in the construction industry, not just for those swinging a hammer. 

What about women in the construction industry? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, women make up 10% of the workforce in the construction industry. Women account for 47% of the total workforce in the US.  Hilltop Concrete’s Operations Manager is  Jeni Sikes. She worked in a paralegal office before starting with the company a few years ago. If you ever meet her, you wouldn't know she had not been in the construction industry her whole life. She is our boots on the ground, reviewing every job site before we begin, while we are installing, and once we finish, hands-on person. She would be the first to tell you how much she loves her job and the people she works with. As our president’s right-hand woman, she truly keeps things running smoothly. 

The construction industry is growing and changing all the time. Improvements are made to building techniques, new styles of construction appear, and everyone needs a safe place to sleep. So while the construction industry grows, remember we are not bad people, we are not lazy undereducated people and we value the women who work with us. At Hilltop Concrete, we strive to make sure every employee and customer is taken care of because they all have value. You can also view our employment opportunities here. We encourage you to reach out to our office by email at hello@hilltopconcreteco.com or by calling our office at 903-630-5465 if you would like a quote or have any questions! We look forward to hearing from you!