One training I found to be very beneficial was a general framing lesson/training that I did while working a summer job last summer. The lesson focused on wall, floor, and roof framing techniques, along with layout, measuring, and blueprint reading. All of which I have also learned through classroom lesson or coursework. What made this training so effective was how hands-on it was. Instead of just talking about framing concepts, we actually built sections of walls, set up corners, and installed headers and trusses. The instructor emphasized precision, teamwork, and safety skills that are critical on any jobsite. By learning through direct experience, I developed a much better understanding of how framing ties a structure together. The training had strong utility because everything we practiced could be immediately used in real construction work.
On the other hand, the classroom construction classes I had taken before that wasn’t nearly as beneficial. We spent hours going over slides and diagrams, memorizing framing terms and layouts, but never actually touched any materials. While I understood the concepts on paper, applying them in real life was a completely different challenge. Once I was on site, I realized how much experience truly matters. You can know every measurement, code, and framing formula, but if you’ve never held a level or used a hammer, it’s harder to put that knowledge into action.
Reflecting on both experiences, I learned that in construction, experience is everything. Hands-on training builds not just skill, but confidence, the kind that only comes from actually building something yourself. I think that this can be true for any company or trade.