Vernon Williams
Here today as a Board Member of BUSINESS INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT (BID)
Career Path in Construction (Structured Overview)
Field Operations Track (On-Site Leadership)
Entry Level
- Laborer
- Apprentice (carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC)
Skilled Trade
- Journeyman
- Master Tradesperson
Crew Leadership
- Lead Hand
- Foreman
Site Management
- Superintendent
- General Superintendent
Executive Operations
- Director of Construction
- VP of Operations
- COO (Construction Firm)
Skills Developed
- Safety compliance (OSHA)
- Crew coordination
- Schedule control
- Quality control
- Vendor management
Project Management Track (Planning & Execution)
Entry Level
- Project Engineer
- Assistant Project Manager
Mid-Level
- Project Manager
- Estimator
- Scheduler
Senior Level
- Senior PM
- Construction Manager
Executive
- Director of Project Management
- VP of Construction
- Chief Operating Officer
Core Competencies
- Budget control
- Cost forecasting
- Contract administration
- Change order management
- Client relations
Finance & Accounting Track (Critical for Growing Contractors)
Entry Level
- Staff Accountant
- AP/AR Specialist
- Job Cost Accountant
Mid-Level
- Senior Accountant
- Cost Accountant
- Finance Manager
Leadership
- Controller (Construction-Specialized)
- Director of Finance
Executive
- CFO (Construction)
- Partner / Owner
Construction-Specific Knowledge
- Percentage-of-completion revenue recognition
- Work-in-progress (WIP) schedules
- Job costing systems
- Bonding & surety reporting
- Cash flow forecasting for long-cycle projects
Given your background in audit, tax, and advisory, this track integrates directly with:
- Job profitability analysis
- Tax strategy for contractors
- Bonding capacity optimization
- Multi-entity structuring (holdco/opco models)
Carol Williams
ABOUT ME
Woman-owned construction company.
- Co-owner and also the President of the oompany
- 20 years of experience changing career from nursing field to Construction
- How did I transition from nursing to construction?
The world will always need builders, and you could be one of them.
Sophia I Miller
I help SMBs clean up chaotic financials, unlock cash flow clarity, and reduce tax exposure, without hiring a full-time CFO or fearing audits, surprises, or IRS letters.
- Started my career with Deloitte & Touche, global CPA firm, auditing private equity and investment banking.
- 2020 started my accounting firm The Ledgers Advisory, offering account, tax and adiviosry to business owners with the construction industry.
My Inspiration
National Architectural, Engineering and Construction Management Firm called Mckissack & Mckissak.
History
- Family own black company started in started in 1905 - present
Projects
- Hhistorical memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
- JFK airport construction
Your Mindset is Your Superpower
Types Of Role
Tax Specialist → Construction Tax Advisor
Audit → Construction Risk & Controls
Consultant → ERP / Job Cost System Implementation
Fractional CFO → PE-backed construction groups
How Do I Help SMBs Owners in Construction
Entity Setup
- Business registraion with the state
- Apply for EIN with the IRS
- Chose the right Entity Structures
- Sole Prpertorship
- S-Corp
- LLC - Limited Liability Corporator
Accounting
- Chosing the and setting up their acounting software.
- Various backoffice task such
- bookkeeping,
- budgement
- Bills
- Reading and understaing their Financil Reports use for Bond funding and getting loans.
- accountant helps you understand when you're actually making money. This involves Work-in-Progress (WIP)
- Monitoring over- and under-billings, aligning billing, collections, and cash timing, and identifying cash gaps before payroll or tax deadlines hit.
Tax Planning & Compliance
Annual filings Tax returns
Projections
Setup Trust, Foundations
Training Resouces
Intuit Academy
- - Tax and Bookkeeping Certification Course.
- - Free and Self pace Education you start today.
The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD)
Dedicated to fostering a thriving economic environment, the OESBD provides vital support and resources for businesses and entrepreneurs across Broward County, driving local growth and innovation.
Berson Berthomieux
ECONOMIST
Who is an estimator?
An estimator is the person who calculates project cost and prepares bids before construction starts. How much will the job cost -> an estimator will answer the question.
Key Functions of an Estimator
What an Estimator Does (In Real Life) Before a project starts, the estimator:
- Studies the Plans Reviews drawings and specifications Looks for missing details or risks Checks codes and requirements
- Does Quantity Takeoffs Measures how much material is needed: Concrete Block Steel Roofing Drywall Paint Calculates square feet, linear feet, cubic yards, etc. Gets Prices Calls suppliers and subcontractors Requests quotes Compares pricing Negotiates when possible
- Builds the Cost Adds up: Materials Labor Equipment Permits Overhead Profit So the company doesn’t lose money.
- Prepares the Bid The estimator prepares: Bid proposal Scope of work Clarifications Exclusions Value engineering options Then submit it to the owner or GC.
- Why Estimators Are Critical If an estimator is wrong: Company loses money Project fails People lose jobs If an estimator is good: Company makes profit Jobs run smooth Company grows They protect the business.
How to Become a Construction Estimator
You don’t need a college degree to start……Most good estimators come from the field.
Common Paths
Path A: Field (Most Common)
If you’ve worked in: Roofing, Masonry, Framing, Restoration, or Construction management, you already have an advantage.
Leverage your practical experiencelearn plans and Excel, and you can start estimating.
Path B: Office / Engineering
If you're in roles like Project Engineer, Assistant PM, or Drafter, you have a solid foundation.
Learning pricing strategies will enable you to transition into estimating.
To be an effective estimator, you need to master these key skills:
How to Read Drawings
How to Do Quantity Takeoffs
How Labor is Priced
How Subcontractors Bid Work
How Overhead & Profit Works
How to Read Specifications (Specs)
Dwidge Aliscar
Civil Engineer
Field Operations:
Are everything that happens on the job site to safely build the project according to plans, schedule and quality standards.
How the team work
together I want to explain how a construction project is completed and how three important roles work together as a team:
Construction Engineering, Project Management and the Superintendent.
When you see a building being built like a school, hospital or apartment building there is much more happening than just workers on site. Behind every successful project is a strong team.
Let’s start from the beginning:
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING (Planning and Technical Support)
- Construction Engineers focus on the technical side of the project.
- They review drawings and blueprints make sure the design can actually be built.
- Solve the technical problems coordinate with the Architects and structural engineers prepare shop drawings and calculations.
- Think of construction engineers as “the problem solvers” and technical experts they make sure everything is accurate and safe before and during construction.
PROJECT MANAGER
(The leader of the Project)
- The Project Manager, often called the PM, is responsible for the entire project from start to Finish.
- They manage the budget and control the schedule and sign contracts communicate with owner Approve change orders and Control costs.
- The Project manager makes sure the project:
Stay on budget Finishes on time Meets quality expectations you can think of the PM as the “business leaders” of the project.
SUPERINTENDENT
(The Field Leader)
- The superintendent works directly on the job site every day.
- They supervise workers and subcontractors; schedule daily activities make sure work is done safely.
- Checking quality of work solve field problems if the PM is the leader in the office, the superintendent is the leader in the field.
- The superintendent makes sure the work is built correctly and safely according to the plans.
Here is how they work as a team
A construction project cannot succeed if these three roles do not communicate and corporate.
- The engineer provides technical solutions
- The Project manager manages cost and schedule
- The superintendent manages daily field operations
For example:
If a problem happens on site: The superintendent identifies the issue The engineer finds the technical solution
The Project Manager reviews cost and time impact Together, they decide on the best solution. They must communicate constantly – through meeting, phone call, and reports. Teamwork is very important in construction. If one role fails, the whole project can suffer.
Contractor - BROWN PLUMBING
Robert Brown
This is skilled, regulated work tied to public health and safety.
What plumbers actually do:
- Install and repair water supply lines
- Install drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) systems
- Install fixtures (sinks, toilets, water heaters)
- Interpret blueprints and building codes
- Diagnose pressure, leak, and flow issues
- Work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings
Meet Basic Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
Complete a Plumbing Apprenticeship (4–5 Years)
This is the core pathway.
You earn while you learn.
Apprenticeships combine:
- 2,000+ hours per year of paid on-the-job training
- 150–250 hours per year of classroom instruction
Where to Apply
- United Association (UA) – union apprenticeships
- Local plumbing companies
- Trade schools
- State labor departments
Become a Journeyman Plumber
After completing apprenticeship hours, you take a state licensing exam.
Exam typically covers:
- Plumbing code
- Theory and systems
- Safety
- Practical calculations
Once licensed as a Journeyman, you can:
- Work independently
- Supervise apprentices
- Earn significantly more
Typical pay:
- Apprentice: $18–$25/hr
- Journeyman: $28–$45/hr (varies by state)
Become a Master Plumber (Optional but Powerful)
After 2–5 years as a journeyman, you can apply for Master licensing.
Master plumbers:
- Pull permits
- Run plumbing businesses
- Bid commercial jobs
- Hire teams
Income potential:
- $80k–$150k+
- Business owners: much higher depending on scale
Alternative Path: Trade School First
You can attend a 6–24 month trade program before apprenticeship.
Pros:
- Makes you more competitive
- Faster learning curve
- Sometimes reduces apprenticeship hours
Cons:
- Tuition cost
- Not required in most states
Timeline Summary
- Year 0: Apply to apprenticeship
- Years 1–5: Apprentice
- Year 4–6: Journeyman license
- Year 7–10: Master license (optional)
FREE TRAINING AND PAID APPRENTERSHIP
Plumbers Local 519
Plumbers Local Union 519
Plumbers protect the health of the nation and the highly skilled members of Local 519 are no different. We specialize in both commercial and residential work, and in medical gas certification and back-flow testing. We work on everything from the stadiums to your residential home and small business. Our contractors are available 24 hours a day for all your plumbing needs.
Contractor
IMPACT CONSTUCTION COMPANY
Noel Watson - Structural Engineer
- Has is general and roofing contractor License
- Has more than 60 years of industry knowledge.
- Spend most of his time menorting SMB owners in the construction space
“The world will always need builders. The question is: will you be one of them?”