Entry-level job to attain certifications | QA/QC for construction materials per national and local standards
Pros
Certifications are offered and paid for by the company including ACI, Nuclear Density Gauge, Concrete and Asphalt Batch plant certifications etc. Rarely a shortage of work for 9 months of the year Company vehicles with company gas card for transportation of equipment to job sites Variety in jobsites and duties if consistency would bore you Reach overtime most every week from April to October Opportunities to speak with people experienced in construction fields Per-diem pay and meal compensation pay when on out of town assignments Travel mileage is compensated when driving personal vehicle for ATL business Travel to and from jobsites is compensated Night work has bonus compensation
Cons
Starting pay is low and raises are not forthcoming | $13-15 hourly and ~$.30 "cost of living adjustment" yearly and an additional $.50 per hour if any Benefits are basic No union Quality of hands-on training in the field is extremely varied, and there will likely be mistakes and delays that could have been avoided with quality training Plans outside of work are extremely difficult to make since jobs are assigned the night before, sometimes requiring drastic changes in sleeping schedules Assignments can potentially mean several weeks away from home, sometimes even over weekends with little to no notice that you have been assigned to these jobs