HEAVY HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

HORIZONTAL CONSTRUCTION IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE HEAVY HIGHWAY INDUSTRY.

What do heavy highway workers build?

This sector of construction is responsible for:

ROADS

HIGHWAYS

BRIDGES

PARKING LOTS

ENVIRONMENTAL WORK

SITE PREPARATION FOR BUILDINGS

OTHER RELATED PROJECTS

If the work takes place on or near the ground, it’s probably a form of horizontal construction.

— Alexa Halker, Project Manager, The Great Lakes Construction Co.

“No road or bridge can be built by one person, so in turn it is a very collaborative environment with everyone having a common goal of getting the work completed safely and timely.”

TOP TRADES

The construction industry is full of opportunity. As one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the country, there are plenty of options for great careers that pay well and offer meaningful work.

Explore some of the top skilled trades below and take our quiz to see the ones that would be a good fit for you:

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HORIZONTAL
CONSTRUCTION

The heavy highway industry employs millions of skilled workers, designers, engineers, managers, laborers and support staff. Learn more about the skilled trades and the corresponding apprenticeship programs that can get you started.

 

SOME OF THE TOP TRADES INCLUDE

OPERATING ENGINEER
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Operating Engineer: The heavy highway industry is full of large equipment. From backhoes to earthmovers, trenchers to excavators, road rollers to concrete mixers (and some bigger than a house), each requires skilled professionals to operate them safely and strategically. It takes great coordination and eyesight to operate both hand and foot levers simultaneously, while maintaining good judgement and performing complicated tasks. Opportunities are also available to be a heavy equipment maintenance technician. These individuals complete routine checkups and repair the equipment that serves the heavy highway industry.

Apprenticeship Providers
Ohio: Operating Engineers

LABORER
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Looking for a hands-on role with variety? Laborers are multi-skilled professionals who contribute to nearly every phase of construction—from site preparation and demolition to material handling, equipment operation and final cleanup. Whether working on a quick remodel or a multi-year high-rise project, laborers play a key role in keeping the job site running smoothly. Tasks may include operating power tools, assisting with concrete pours, installing temporary structures, and supporting skilled trades. Laborers often work closely with other crafts but can also take on independent responsibilities. If you enjoy physical, outdoor work that combines strength, skill and evolving technology, a career as a commercial construction laborer could be a perfect fit.

Apprenticeship Providers
Ohio Laborers

CARPENTER
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If you enjoy working with your hands, take pride in craftsmanship and have a strong attention to detail, a career as a commercial building carpenter offers a fulfilling path. Carpenters play a key role in turning blueprints into reality—framing walls, installing doors and windows, and finishing interiors in buildings like offices, schools and hospitals. Their work is critical to both the structure and appearance of the spaces that serve our communities every day.

Apprenticeship Providers
Ohio Carpenters’ Join Apprenticeship & Training Program
Messer Construction Company – Cincinnati

BRICKLAYER
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Bricklayers in the commercial construction industry are skilled tradespeople who build the strong, durable structures that form the foundation and framework of many buildings. They work with brick, concrete block and other masonry materials to construct walls, partitions, fireplaces and other architectural features found in offices, schools, hospitals and commercial complexes. Using precise measurements and detailed blueprints, bricklayers carefully lay each unit with mortar, ensuring the structure is both visually appealing and structurally sound. This craft requires physical strength, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of patterns, alignment, and load-bearing principles. Whether working on exterior facades or intricate interior designs, bricklayers help shape the look and stability of the built environment.

Apprenticeship Providers
Bricklayers & Allied Craft Workers Ohio River Valley

CEMENT MASON
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Independence, pride, demand and craftsmanship are the key characteristics of an excellent cement mason. Their main jobs include leveling, smoothing and shaping the surfaces of freshly poured concrete on a wide variety of projects including foundations, walls, floors and more. Cement masons are masters at their craft, understanding how concrete works, how to prevent defects, and how the weather can affect it.

Apprenticeship Providers
Norton: Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons 109 | Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton & Portsmouth: Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons 132 | Youngstown & Warren: Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 179 | Toledo: Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons 886 | Cleveland: Cement Masons 404

ELECTRICIAN
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Electricians bring power and functionality to the commercial building industry. They install wiring, conduit and electrical systems that provide lighting, heating, cooling and power to buildings of all types—from offices and hospitals to schools and retail spaces. Electricians also connect complex machinery, equipment and control systems that are essential to modern infrastructure. Successful electricians are focused, patient and precise—able to interpret detailed blueprints, follow exact measurements and work safely with intricate electrical components to ensure buildings operate smoothly and efficiently.

Apprenticeship Providers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
IEC Central Ohio
IEC Greater Cincinnati

IRON WORKER
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Iron workers play a critical role in shaping the skyline of the commercial building industry, creating the strong, towering structures that define our cities. Structural Iron-workers assemble and secure the steel framework for buildings—hoisting, bolting, welding and riveting beams and columns that support the entire structure during and after construction. Reinforcing iron-workers, or rod-busters, place steel bars and mesh inside concrete forms to reinforce floors, walls and columns, ensuring long-lasting strength and stability. Ornamental iron-workers add the finishing touches, installing metal stairways, railings, window frames, gates and other decorative features that enhance both function and design. This is a career for those who thrive at great heights, have steady hands and want to be part of building something that lasts for generations.

Apprenticeship Providers
Dayton Local 290
NE Ohio Local 17
Cincinnati Local 44
Canton Local 550
Columbus Local 172
Youngstown Local 207
Toledo Local 55

TEAMSTERS
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Serving as a foundational part of the heavy highway industry, you will learn to operate large off-road highway trucks. These include equipment haulers, distributor trucks, water trucks, dump trucks and more. Operation and driving aren’t the only aspect of this job. Truck operators also assist in loading, securing and dispersing important materials. Additionally, they keep records, clean and inspect. If you are naturally good at following directions, you may thrive in this role because truck operators also maintain radio or telephone contact with base or a supervisor to receive instructions or to be dispatched. These skilled professionals have their CDL permits and thrive in independent settings, while understanding their timeliness and care for their load is important to the structure of projects across the state.

Apprenticeship Providers
Ohio Teamsters

WHAT IS A CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICE?

Apprentices are full-time employees who earn while they learn. By joining an apprenticeship program, you are gaining valuable skills on the jobsite and in the classroom, moving up on the pay scale as you meet milestones.

LEARN MORE ABOUT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS

— Alex Shaw, Project Manager, Shook Construction

“HEAVY/HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

Is the backbone of our communities. The critical infrastructure we build is the runway to progress, growth and sustainability. At Shook Construction, our mission is ‘to dramatically improve the communities we serve,’ recognizing the work we do impacts the lives of those around us. That sentiment can be felt throughout this industry.”