What do I Need to Work in Construction?
- magda
If you are fascinated by tall skyscrapers, want to contribute to society, and are seeking a career that is very promising and challenging as well, you’re in the right place. As far as major business sectors are concerned, not many can dominate the construction industry in terms of revenues and profits. It’s one of the most important sectors in Australia, with a huge range of career choices. Many Australian cities are growing fast, that is why lots of people want to work in Australia. The country’s construction sector generates more than $360 billion in revenue, producing approximately 9% of the country’s GDP, and has a probable yearly growth rate of 2.6% in the coming five years. The majority of the businesses in the construction industry are either sole traders or very SMEs, having employed less than 20 people. The construction sector is not the key engine of the country. However, it is correct that nowadays, the construction sector in Australia is extremely important.
Entering the Building and Construction Industry
If you are looking to get a job in construction, Perfecthire is the right choice for you. Selecting Perfecthire, there are lots of good reasons behind it. Excellent job prospects, Solid salaries, and you can get your dream job.
If you’re always looking for challenges, and a varied career, this industry ticks all the right boxes. Not just in Australia but across the world, the construction industry is in a boom. More than 45,000 new houses are built in Victoria alone every year. Most modern and state-of-the-art residential and commercial developments are in progress. It is why there will always be a demanding skill general labor hire. All you need is the right skill set and the right qualifications and motivations. Because it is a huge industry, you can go to multiple options in the construction industry. You can choose any right path for yourself. Depending on your qualification and area of interest, you might kick-start your job in the building and construction industry in any of the following roles:
- Construction Manager
- Estimator
- Architect
- Supervisor
- Construction Expeditor
- Construction Worker
- Engineer
- Electrician
- Construction Foreman
Construction Labour Hire
You should know that skilled labourers are important for any task that needs technical understanding. On the other hand, they are enormously supportive when you just need an extra hand. You can get hired as trained professionals in Australia following this blog.
What Do I Need to Work in Construction?
If you have decided to enter the construction industry as a construction manager, you need a bachelor’s degree in construction management. Some other degrees for other advanced roles are as below
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management)
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Architectural Science)
- Bachelor of Construction Management
- Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)
- Master of Architecture
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Interior Architecture)
- Graduate Certificate in Development Planning
Through advanced and collaborative teaching methods, you’ll learn how to get into the industry and also make an impact while you’re at it.
Simple Steps to Getting a Construction Job in Australia
Step 1: Get your white card and PPE
If you want to join the construction sector in Australia, first need to get get your white card and PPE. A white card generally known as a construction induction card is compulsory for employees who wish to get a job on any construction site. Those individuals who want to get a White Card should first go for general construction education training. NSW offers a complete list of overall construction education trainers where you can acquire your white card. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is also compulsory to get into any building site in New South Wales. Required Personal Protective Equipment to get on any construction site comprises the use of different items like steel toe cap boots, hard hats, and high visibility shirts. Added Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that might be a prerequisite on certain sites comprises of gloves, glasses, and goggles.
Step 2: Create a Resume
Following the advent of the internet, creating an impressive resume has become very important. These days getting a job in any industry without a good resume is not easy. Especially in the construction industry, you have to highlight yourself to great extent. A resume is very significant as you have to mention all your strengths and areas of expertise in it. It shows your working experience as well as the subjects you have recently studied. If you do not have experience in writing a good creating resume, you can find lots of online resources which offer free cost provide resume templates. Also, you can search for some industry resumes of professionals and experts, which will also help you to write one for yourself.
Step 3: The Job Search
Now that you have got the ideal resume in your machine ready to send to different companies online. Most recruiters take online applications these days and you know that hundreds of job portals are also available for new and experienced professionals. You may find fierce competition getting any interview call, but keep on trying your best and you will get the most awaiting call from any employer. One of the best things you will find is that they keep on posting fresh jobs, and whichever suits your matching criteria, they will send us an email notification in your inbox. You can find many job portals which are ideal for an online search regarding the building and construction sector.
Asking around your group of friends can also be very useful at times. This is the best way to reach such jobs which are never posted or advertised on any website or job portal online.
Step 4: The Application Process
This is the step where you get a chance of impressing different employers! Coupled with an impressive resume, your application is also very significant because it is your first ever interaction with the potential employer, be strong and show that you are keen to work for them and you are the most suitable candidate for them. Try to highlight that you are a smart worker, reliable and punctual is significant as these are characteristics compulsory for all construction jobs and sites. Application procedures may vary from organisation to organisation. It can be a call from the company or a formal in-person meeting with prospective employers. Highlighting your recent and relevant experience is always very crucial. This is how you show that you want them to believe they must hire you.
Step 5: The First Day on the Job
This is your first day at work. Make sure you reach 20 minutes before your timings. And, do not forget to pick your white card, today is your first day on the job. Show your passion and attitude towards work, your new employer must know that you are a hardworking man.
Requirements for Working on a Construction Site
You should know that the English language is a must if you want to work in the construction and building sector in Australia. If you’re a non-native speaker, does not matter, to get the White Card you must not be as fluent as any Australian native is. But you must be good enough to understand what your supervisor or manager is instructing. You also must be familiar with using specific vocabulary for tools and operations. You need specific licences if you want to join the Australian construction and building industry as a driver of heavy vehicles. For other tasks, you may need other sorts of licences.
Different Job Opportunities in the Construction Sector
If you want to work in construction and make good money in the Australian construction sector, you should consider doing jobs at night or even on weekends. That is because hourly wages become higher on such days and timings. Following is the list of construction jobs you can get without any experience or higher qualifications in Australia:
Labourer (Unskilled Labour)
As labour, your job is to make sure that all skilled labour has got what they are supposed to have on the site and for working in construction. For example, labour has to carry different tools and equipment, bags, bricks, etc. with themselves. Otherwise, you can get the responsibility of carrying and filling buckets with water. You will possibly also make use of some tools like a jackhammer and often need to do some simple jobs as well. The benefit is that doing such sorts of jobs you have to work with everybody in the group. That is how you can socialise and make your own people network that can be good for your next job in the future. The disadvantages of these types of work are it’s tiring and physical work. The wages can be around 20 and 40 AUD per hour. It depends on your job experience in that task and also the level of difficulty.
Cleaner
Everybody knows that the cleaner’s job is to pick up garbage. It also involves sweeping and cleaning the construction site as well. Cleaner also packs different hazardous waste and garbage in bags. The Cleaner also works for the prevention and building-up of dirt which is not good for the lungs on the job site, therefore guaranteeing excellent working conditions. The benefit of the job is that the physical job is not that hard. The disadvantage, nevertheless, is that you have to wear a mask all the time to prevent the breath of dust. The cleaner’s pay is almost the same as a labourer’s. You can do both jobs at once if the construction site is a smaller one.
Traffic Controller
You will find most women in this job role because no physical strength is required and women also get a very good salary. In Australia, most companies prefer women for this job role. So if you are a woman and want to earn good money by working in the construction business, try this job. The job of a traffic controller is to control different traffic signs, he/she as directs the traffic and attends to different visitors or passers-by through the construction site. This is a role that needs a custom traffic control license that may cost which costs between $300 and $500. There is a disadvantage involved in the job role, you can get bored very fast. Another one is, you will be standing around all day long, mostly in the sun. This job role has to offer you a better salary package than other unskilled backpackers in the construction industry: between AUD 30 and 50 per hour.
Jobs for Skilled Tradesmen
You can join the industry as a skilled tradesman. Skilled tradesmen like electricians, carpenters, plumbers, pavers, or other skilled labour usually get higher salaries than unskilled labour. You need to contact the company directly, and tell the management about your qualifications and knowledge about the industry and demand for at least AUD 30-40 per hour.
Where Can You Get a Job as a General Labourer?
You can say that general labour is a sweeping terminology that has been used to cover a wider array of a multiplicity of tasks. In the Australian construction sector, there are several opportunities for you to join as a general labourer in a variety of construction sector areas. The most common segments that employees are general labourers comprise building and construction firms. Those candidates who are new to the industry, the building, and construction sector can be very challenging at times. With a huge collection of potential roles available, it assists to have some thought of what role you can assume to work in and what skillset you might need.
You should be a team man and at times you may need to work independently as well. The Australian labour market is predicted to grow this year. Presently, more than 53,000 persons have been employed at this level in the country, with 84.3 percent of the workers employed full-time.
If you want to make a good first impression in the construction industry Perfecthire is with you.
You will have to show your employer that you are capable enough to meet industry challenges. On the other hand, you should show that you got the necessary skills and professional training to move on. Particularly, all Australian construction employees need to complete the National Construction Induction course before joining the industry.
