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How to Become a Construction Foreman with LCL Excavation: A Guide for Aspiring Leaders

Updated: Aug 2

Infrastructure construction Foreman at LCL Excavation are leaders of the construction industry of New-Brunswick and Prince-Edward-Island. They are humble and results driven people that do ''what it takes, when it counts''. The Foreman is a hands on leader and coaches his team.


Foreman

What type of people are Foremans with us?

You might be wondering, ''Do I have the potential to be a Foreman with LCL Excavation ?''. While we cannot cover all of the potential types of persons that have the potential to become a Foreman with LCL Excavation, we have listed a few that might help you
  • Are you a focused or goal oriented person that already knows they want to become a construction Foreman?

  • Are you a supervisor or lead hand working in another industry?

    • Roofing

    • Carpentry

    • Plumbing

    • Asphalt

    • Heavy civil construction

    • Concrete foundations

  • Are you a skilled labor working in the industry

    • Pipe layer

    • Concrete finisher

  • Are you a construction supervisor or surveyor currently working in the municipal infrastructure industry?

  • Are you trained in civil engineering?

    • Civil engineering university graduate or student

    • Civil engineering technology college graduate or student


Foreman

What is the role of the Foreman?

A construction Foreman with LCL Excavation is the team leader. This person is a very hands on person, performing labor work and leads by example. This person has formulated a plan for the day and coaches the team to execute it.


Do you want to become a Foreman?

Our Foremans are humble, results driven and hardworking peole. They are hands on team leaders. They are focused and do what it takes, when it counts during the construction season: they give it their all. This type of role is intense during the construction season and less demanding during the winter. Here are some details about the lifestyle and compensation of Foremans working at LCL Excavation


  • 4 day work week during the construction season

    • The crews will generally work 4 days per week. The Foreman will often have some responsibilities and/or tasks on the Friday/Rain days.

  • Construction Season, Winter

    • The typical busy season for our Foremans are from March-Mid December. They are expected to step up and give it their all during this period.

    • During the winter, the Foremans have a more relaxed work load. They are expected to take leadership training and contribute to various company efforts. Overall the Winter is time for well deserved rest.

  • Compensation details

    • Salary position: paid every week

    • 6 weeks of vacation time

    • Company truck

    • Retirement Plan

    • Health Insurance

    • Cell phone, Ipad


Foreman

How to become a Foreman?

Every person is different and is at different stages in their career. Regardless of where you are right now, the image below is true:


Become a Foreman with LCL process

A Foreman is a person who has some time in their career started as a labor. They then became a pipe layer, a concrete finisher (skilled labor), and/or a heavy equipment operator. The Foreman is a person who can lead and coach others, while not as skilled as some operators or skilled labors on the crew, this person can perform every role. More often than not, the Foreman is one of the best labors on site.

**Surveyors are also in the lead position (step 3).


If you want to become a Foreman and just starting your career in construction:

you start at step 1. If you are already a pipe layer(skilled labor), concrete finisher (skilled labor) or a heavy equipment operator and want that role: you start at step 2. If you are a surveyor and want to become a Foreman : you are close to your goal but need to master steps 1 and 2 before having what it takes to become a foreman. Here are a couple of examples below


Example 1: no college or university required

  1. You start as a pipe laborer or concrete labor and get really good at that job.

  2. Grow into a pipe layer or concrete finisher role, gain some valuable experience, perform and help the Foreman: be a lead hand

  3. Get some experience on heavy equipment : loader, bulldozer, excavator

  4. Grow into a surveyor role: learn the ins and outs of surveying, plan reading

  5. Become a Foreman

This process does take some time. You must achieve great results in every role, live the core values and be patient. The process can be achieved faster for some and longer for others. Depending on the person and current experience, some might be able to achieve their goals after 3 construction seasons: labor-skilled labor-surveyor. Use this typical career path for your current situation, to help you determine what you need to do.


Example 2: college or university student and/or graduate: civil engineering

  1. You are 1st-year student: you start you career as a pipe labor or concrete labor: get really good at that job

  2. You are an experienced student or recent grad: perform the surveyor position. learn the ins and outs of surveying, plan reading

  3. Gain experience and become a good pipe layer

  4. Gain some heavy equipment operator experience

  5. Become a Foreman


Civil engineering graduates still are required get all the same experience as a person that did not go to university or college. They have an advantage to start in the surveyor position since they invested time and $ for their education. By being in the surveyor position right away, they have a role of supporting the Foreman in all technical and lead other crew members. Having this role allows you to be mentored earlier by the Foreman.


In both examples, the person will have on-the-job training, often performed by the Foreman. You might have noticed that secondary education is an option in both examples, here are some advantages for each.

Foreman with LCL

  • Starting a career without going to college or university

    • Start working full-time once you graduate high school

      • earn money right away, start contributing to the retirement plan

    • Training for the Surveyor position

      • We train you on the job

      • You do not need to invest your time and money at university or college

  • Attending and graduating from University or College: Engineering

    • You can still work as a student and earn money during the summer

    • Grow into the surveyor position faster than people who have not committed to secondary education



From Surveyor to Foreman: Foreman in Training (FIT)

Not every Surveyor will become a Foreman. The criteria required to grow into the Foreman role are the following


First and foremost you must live the core values of :

  • Get Results

  • Humble, No Drama

  • Hardworking


You must also have the following

  • Get the Role

  • Want the Role

  • Have the Capacity to do the Role


If you have the above, the company leaders might invite you to become a Foreman in Training (FIT). The Foreman in Training will be actively trained to develop into the role. This person will be

  • exposed to leadership training,

  • more actively mentored by the Foreman

  • being closer to other company leaders

Our FIT's are the next people in line to become Foremans.


Get Started

Working with a company that allows you to achieve your potential is important. Start your career with us, apply here :


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