Photo courtesy of Michael Bacchler | National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
The job of construction foreman is a mid-level position in bioenergy, in the infrastructure career sub-sector. Job seekers with infrastructure backgrounds or a trade or vocational career could consider this type of mid-level bioenergy job.
A construction foreman supervises laborers to construct pipelines, buildings, and various equipment. A foreman also provides specialized assistance in carpentry, mechanics, welding, and equipment operation in performing various tasks. People in these positions may have careers in bioenergy construction.
Construction Foreman
| Alternate Title(s) | Construction Supervisor |
| Education & Training Level Description | On-the job training, apprenticeship, associate’s degree, or trade school in mechanical and technical skills required (at least journeyman level). |
| Experience | 3–7 years |
| Job Skills |
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| Job Profile | Employees in the construction field build the biorefineries where biofuels and bioproducts are made. The demand for construction for upcoming bioenergy processing plants will be driven by research and development that is conducted on advanced feedstocks and biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol, algal biofuels, and waste to energy. Construction and design of new infrastructure and facilities will be necessary, from feedstock processing units to conversion operations. Construction employees are also a critical part of building and improving the distribution and utilization infrastructure for bioenergy, such as pipelines, gas stations, and fuel production plants. Construction employees are typically involved in the building and retrofitting of fuel conversion and processing plants of advanced feedstocks and biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol. This includes using tools and manual labor to build structures, pipelines, and fuel pumps. For some construction projects, heavy equipment and machinery will be operated to accomplish tasks. At the middle levels, a construction foreman supervises laborers to complete the construction of pipelines, buildings, and various equipment. Foreman also provide specialized assistance in carpentry, mechanics, welding, and equipment operation performing various tasks. On-the job training, apprenticeship associate’s degree, or trade school in mechanical and technical skills required (at least journeyman level). Employers value relevant experience gained through part-time employment, internships, or volunteer work. |
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