Want to know more about becoming a successful construction manager? Meet Larry Hnatiuk

By Ashley Brown

Larry Hnatiuk is an experienced construction manager and local business owner. Through hands-on work experience and regularly raising industry standards with his innovation, Larry has made this career his passion.

In the thirty-five years since Larry began working in the construction industry, he has experienced failures and overcome many challenges in order to build two successful, respected companies - and he’d like to tell you how. 

Why did you make the decision to pursue construction management as a career?

For a couple of reasons. First, when I made the decision to enter the field, this career was in very high demand. The other reason it appealed to me was because it appeared that it appeared as though it could be very lucrative in Alberta’s growing economy. This has been true both then and now.

Photo Credit: Ashley Brown

How did you become a construction manager and advance in your career? What was required?

I gained my basic knowledge of construction through work experience - starting at the ground level. When you begin in an entry level position, it teaches the importance of learning all facets of a business. From tools and equipment to local construction regulations.

I also studied building materials and methodology in-depth, to constantly learn about structures, materials and the building process - and just importantly, why they fail. I have also found how essential it is to have the drive to keep up with an ever-changing industry. 

Photo Credit: Provided by Concrete Correctors 

To be an industry forerunner and successful in this industry, you’ve got to be as informed as possible. Suppliers, materials, techniques and methods, are all constantly changing. Keeping up to date on these has changed with technology advances in many ways and yet stayed the same in others.

Reading industry periodicals, trade journals and scouring libraries are constants and now doing research on-line is an absolute must. Attending manufacturers or suppliers seminars and in-house training courses that are put on for trades is another great way to get informed of what’s up-and-coming.

Another benefit to these is that they also allow you to network with others in the industry and learn from their insight, and - these events are usually free. For those who find it difficult to attend presentations outside the office, province or even country, webinars are also starting to gain in popularity.

For me, two specialty courses that I attended were extremely beneficial. The first was at an adhesive engineering company in San Carlos, California, and the other was a law course designed for the construction industry. The instructor was a lawyer who had gained ten-years of construction experience before, and during, law school. This guy could really relate to what he was teaching.

Of course, keeping-up on safety regulations and accident prevention is more and more of a requirement. Learning how to complete a task is one thing, but knowing how to complete it safely - and within regulations - can quite often be a challenge of its own.