The story of a Romanian ironworker in Germany

On a construction site, it’s important to communicate well with the engineer and the team

The construction sector is a significant driver of any country’s economy, directly influencing urban development, job creation, and economic growth. Last year, the global construction sector reached $14.7 trillion (1), more than half of the U.S. GDP. Experts predict a 70% growth by 2025.

In other words, our cities, with all their necessary infrastructure and industries, rest on the shoulders of those working in construction. Mr. Andrei Burlacu is one of them.

What do ironworkers do on site?

An ironworker by trade, Mr. Burlacu has been working at RCBB Gruppe since 2019, when the company was founded. Like all construction workers, ironworkers are vital components of any site. They work in teams to ensure the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure. They are responsible for cutting, bending, and installing iron and steel bars that reinforce concrete. Without their work, buildings would not withstand the immense pressures of weight and movement over the years.

It’s not a boring job, and no two days are the same. You always face challenges and must find solutions,” says Mr. Burlacu. But it’s not an easy job either, especially in the summer when the iron gets hot from the sun and burns you, or in winter when your gloves freeze to the iron.

He has been working since he was 18 and considers himself lucky that he hasn’t had any accidents so far, and hopes to keep it that way. The construction sector remains one of the most dangerous fields of work. Following safety protocols, especially wearing protective gear and securing risky areas, helps reduce the risk of injury. However, nothing can replace the vigilance of each person working on the site.

Teamwork: The key to success

On a construction site, cooperation between colleagues is crucial to meeting deadlines and ensuring the quality of the work. Effective communication and mutual respect help create a safe and efficient working environment. Each team member has a specific role, but at the end of the day, all activities are interconnected.

We start at 7:00 a.m. and organize based on what needs to be done that day. Together with the engineers, we set priorities, focusing on the most urgent tasks to meet the delivery deadline. Then we get to work, stopping for a lunch break, and after the break, we go at it again until the shift ends,” explains Mr. Burlacu.

He adds, “I work with my colleagues wherever I’m needed. If someone struggles, I try to help. I also managed to read the plans. Sometimes they give me a headache, but most of the time, I can handle it. If we don’t understand, we go to the higher-ups, to the engineer.”

When asked if he has a favorite construction site from all those he’s worked on over the years, he gave an answer common among construction workers: for those on-site, getting along well with colleagues and the site manager weighs more than what they are building. Yes, even if the project is beautiful or large, what matters most is the team you’re in and if you feel heard and respected. “If you don’t have the right team, where you can get along with others, things don’t work out. That’s what I like most about every site I’ve worked on: getting along well with the team and staying active. If you’re not active, it feels like the day slipped past you. In the evening, you look back and ask yourself: ‘What did I do all day?’”

Working far away from family

The hardest thing to endure for the overwhelming majority of those working away from home is the absence of family. Mr. Burlacu has a wife and a nearly two-year-old son waiting for him at home. He does everything for them. They are worth the sacrifice. He talks to his loved ones daily and eagerly waits to see them face to face, about once every three months when he returns home. He plans to build a house big enough to accommodate his entire family, which helps him cope with the homesickness.

However, Mr. Burlacu has one regret regarding his life: dropping out of school. “Being an ironworker is a good trade, but it’s hard work. Perhaps the hardest part is being far from family.” He wants to teach his son that in life, it’s important to learn, work, and create a better future: “I’m not complaining, I can’t say I’ve had a bad outcome, but I believe there are easier ways to get to a good place. I wish for him to choose one of those easier paths.”

Note:

  1. Data from the 2019-2028 Global Construction Industry Guide report by Global Data, a market research and studies company.

On the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the founding of RCBB Gruppe, we look at the professionals who are part of our team, talking about some of the vital trades for the existence of a construction site. This interview is the third in a series of six materials that we will publish in the following weeks.