Building Construction Technology
About BCT
Building Construction Technology, or BCT, is different than other trades in that it requires skills from various crafts. These include skills involved in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, and landscaping. BCT technicians are the jack of all trades; they repair and maintain buildings and work on plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. Other tasks include building partitions, making repairs on drywall and fixing or painting roofs, windows, doors, floors, and woodwork. These technicians can work either indoors or outside but they are mainly responsible for the maintenance of buildings. The work can be physically demanding, involving long periods of climbing, kneeling, and lifting, but if you enjoy working with your hands and leaving a building better than how you found it, building construction technology may be your calling!
BCT technicians can work in general construction, earning most of their training on the job or through a program. They are able to work in a variety of construction projects, performing duties such as laying down concrete foundations, wiring buildings and installing pipes. With enough experience, these higher-level technicians can find themselves dealing with scheduling, budgeting and safety issues dealing with the project at hand.
College is not necessary to become a building construction technician, although it would not hurt to have more experience in a specialty area. These technicians really only need to have proper certification, experience, good communication, and a passion for the job.
Examples of Pre-Apprenticeship Skills
- Demonstrating the correct use of common tools
- Demonstrating job site safety
- Replacing windows, doors, plumbing and electrical fixtures
- Repairing floor, wall, and ceiling surfaces
- Installing and repairing drywall and painting
- Maintaining landscaped areas
- Communicating repairs with supervisors and customers
- Scheduling maintenance and repairs
BCT Work Includes:
Building construction technicians complete several different tasks within a single day. This may include working inside a building, such as those in a home, or it can include maintaining many buildings, like those in an apartment complex.
Opportunities in a BCT Career
BCT technicians are at an increased demand right now, with the growing desire for green construction that requires updating homes and buildings. Just a few examples of businesses that would be in need of these technicians are land developers, facility management companies and commercial building complexes. With such a complexity of skills that BCT technicians acquire, their certification is not limited to just construction. They can branch out to other specialties, including carpet installing, painting, janitorial work and roofing. The following list are just a few more careers that BCT technicians can land.
Potential Careers
- Remodeling
- BCT Contractor
- Superintendent
- Facility Manager
- Service Technician
- Maintenance Assistant
- Groundkeeper
Average Pay Rate
During pre-apprenticeship training, new technicians receive anywhere between $10 to $14 an hour, depending on the employer. With continued training, further experienced technicians receive between $14 to $16 an hour. Once fully certified, the BCT technician can make between $45,000 to $55,000 a year, again, depending on the employer or the location. Full certification takes about 3 to 4 years, but the process is definitely worth it.
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