Career Corner: Construction Safety and Facilities Management

Welcome to Career Corner, a regular feature inCougar Newswhich highlights workforce programs at Collin College. Today, we are looking attwo of the colleges Construction Technology programs Safety and Facilities Management.

Although both programs exist under the umbrella of Construction Technology along with Carpentry, Electrical, and Plumbing the Safety and Facilities Management programs do not always get as much attention as the more commonly known programs. Both of the latter programs offer rewarding careers for people who are passionate about helping others. And with the rapid growth in construction throughout the area, these careers are projected to grow for years to come.

 

Construction Technology Safety

Collin Colleges construction safety program differs from most colleges safety programs because it focuses specifically on the construction industry without detours into areas like oil and gas, facilities, or health care environments.

Most people who go into construction safety have an environmental safety degree, and that means they have had training in overall safety, said Craig Johnson, director of Collin Colleges Construction and Architecture programs. They have to learn how to apply that training to construction. Our degree focuses on construction safety specifically so that our students are ready for those roles.

Collin College students learn material handling, safety engineering, advanced risk management, construction site safety, and accident prevention, inspection, and investigation. As graduates, they will provide a service not only to their fellow workers but also to the people who will live or work in the facilities they are working on.

The people who go for construction safety jobs are passionate about making sure everyone goes home safely with all their limbs every day, Johnson said. They are focused on the people they work with and keeping the job site safe.

Educational Options

• Associate of Applied Science Construction Technology Safety (60 credit hours)
• Two Level 1 Certificates (24 credit hours each)
• Level 2 Certificate (45 credit hours)

Careers in Construction Safety
Construction and Building Inspectors*
Average Salary: $60,100
23% Job Growth

Occupational Health and Safety Technician*
Average Salary: $52,400
22% Job Growth

 

Construction Technology Facilities Management

Much like construction safety experts, facility managers are detail- and service-oriented. They are, quite literally, the people who keep the lights on or off depending on the power needs of the buildings tenants.

Facility managers must understand how a buildings systems work, how to maintain them, and how to work with a staff to provide a stable, comfortable, and safe environment for the buildings occupants. In short, they run the day-to-day operations of a building or group of buildings, not the businesses inside of them.

You don't just walk in, turn on the lights, and everything works every day, forever, Johnson said. It takes a huge number of people to run a business, and it is the same thing when it comes to a building. With all the businesses moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and the increasing sophistication of the buildings they occupy, it is a growing field.

 

In addition to electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and construction fundamentals, students in Collin Colleges program will learn Occupational Safety and Health Technology (OSHT) standards, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Educational Options
Associate of Applied Science Construction Technology Facilities Management (60 credit hours)

• Level 1 Certificate (24 credit hours)
• Level 2 Certificate (45 credit hours)

Careers in Facilities Management
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Average Salary: $72,200
18% Job Growth

For more information about these programs, contact Craig Johnson at cajohnson@collin.edu.

 

* Data for Collin County obtained from JobsEQ and O*Net

Note: Average salary for occupation as of 2018 and job growth projected from 2019-2026