Administrator

An Administrator provides support to either an individual or team and is vital for the smooth-running of a business. Their duties may include fielding telephone calls, receiving and directing visitors, word processing, invoicing and bookkeeping, and the oversight of other staff in larger organisations.

Administrators are usually required to use Microsoft Office and should demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel. Knowledge with Xero or MYOB packages can be an advantage.

Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic

Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics select components, assemble, install, test, fault-find, service and repair industrial, commercial, and domestic refrigeration and air conditioning systems in homes, shops, factories, office buildings, hospitals, supermarkets, and cold stores.
To become a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic you’ll need to complete an apprenticeship.

Architect

Architects use creativity and a practical understanding of structures and materials to develop concepts, plans, specifications and detailed drawings for buildings and other structures. They negotiate with builders and planning authorities, administer building contracts, and inspect work that has been carried out.

To become an architect, you usually have to complete an accredited degree in architecture. Architects must also be registered with the Architects Registration Board in the state or territory in which they intend to practice.

Bricklayer

Bricklayers work with clay bricks, pre-cut stone, concrete bricks and so on, to construct and repair veneer and full brick construction, partitions, arches, and other structures.

Bricklayers work outdoors and may have to work at heights, or in tunnels and shafts. They usually work in teams and may be employed by bricklaying subcontractors or building and construction companies.
To become a bricklayer, you usually need to complete an apprenticeship which includes on and off the job training.

Builder

Professional builders are responsible for the overall time, cost, and quality management of residential and commercial buildings. They look after the materials, equipment, and supervision of labour in the construction of buildings such houses, factories, office blocks, schools, hospitals, and large housing developments.

Entry to this job usually requires completion of a relevant building course plus industry experience with a registered builder.

Business Manager

Business managers supervise and lead the company’s operations and its employees, and they are responsible for promoting efficient and productive work. They implement business strategies, evaluate overall and specific company performance, and supervise staff and employees.

Business Managers usually have, or obtain while working, a Bachelor’s degree or other tertiary qualification.

Carpenter and Joiner

Both carpenters and joiners work with all types of timber. Joiners usually work in a workshop creating structures such as doors, stairs, windows or trusses. On the other hand, carpenters carry out most of their work on-site.

To become a carpenter or joiner, you’ll first need to complete an apprenticeship.

Civil Engineer

Civil engineers plan, design, construct, operate and maintain roads, bridges, dams, water supply schemes, sewerage systems, transportation systems, harbours, canals, dockyards, airports, railways, factories and large buildings.
To become a civil engineer you usually have to complete a degree in engineering at university with a major in civil engineering.

Concreter

Concrete workers place, spread, compact, finish and cure concrete for buildings, roads, tunnels, bridges and marine structures, using hand tools, vibrators, pumps, trowelling machinery and other power tools. For most jobs, concrete is mixed at a pre-mix concrete supplier’s factory and delivered to the site in a pre-mix concrete truck. There is a growing industry in pre-cast concrete, where concrete elements are cast and cured in factories and then transported to the site for erection.

There are no specific educational requirements for entry to this occupation. Training is generally provided on-the-job.

Construction Managers

Construction managers oversee projects from the early planning stages, right through to the completion of the construction process.
They are responsible for recruiting and supervising workers, coordinating schedules, estimating costs, reporting on progress to clients, and keeping the project running smoothly.

To become a construction manager, you’ll need to obtain a bachelor’s degree, Diploma of Building and Construction (Building), or Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building).

Contract Administrator

Contract Administrators prepare, interpret, maintain, review, and negotiate variations to contracts on behalf of organisations.
You usually need relevant industry experience to work as a Contract Administrator. Formal qualifications might be useful but aren’t essential. Some workers have Vocational Education and Training (VET) or university qualifications in areas such as business and management, building, construction management and law.

Crane Operator

Crane operators control mobile or stationary cranes to lift, move and place objects at locations such as building and construction sites, wharves, and shipyards.

To become a crane operator, you have to obtain a licence to Perform High Risk Work. It is preferable to have a dogging licence before undertaking training to become a crane operator.

Dogger

Doggers apply slinging techniques for the purposes of lifting a load. This includes selecting the method of lifting (by considering the nature of the load, its mass and the centre of gravity), inspecting lifting gear (for suitability and condition) and directing the operator of a crane or hoist in the movement of a load.

This work requires a high-risk work licence.

Earthmoving Plant Operator

Earthmoving Plant Operators operate plant to excavate earth, ore and rock, break up pavement, road, rock and obstructions, move and load earth, rock and debris, and level, smooth and compact surfaces in construction and other projects.

You can work as an Earthmoving Plant Operator without formal qualifications, however on-the-job experience, and a Certificate II or III in Civil Construction plant operations, is highly desirable. Verification of Competency / Assessment and Construction Industry White Card are required.

Electrician

An electrician’s main duties include designing electrical systems, reading and interpreting electrical schematics and wiring diagrams, installing residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems, performing routine maintenance on electrical systems and equipment, identifying and repairing breakdowns, faults, and malfunctions, testing and inspecting electrical systems and certifying the compliance of electrical installations.

To become an electrician, you’ll first need to complete an apprenticeship.

Glazier

Glass and glazing workers cut, shape, and install the glass used in windows (including shopfronts), doors, walls, mirrors, display cabinets and furniture. They can also do decorative work such as stained glass and feature mirrors.

Glass and glazing tradespeople travel to building sites and homes in the course of their work. Those who work in the emergency glass repair field are required to work irregular hours and at weekends.
Entry to this occupation is usually through an apprenticeship in glass and glazing.

Labourer

Builder’s labourers assist tradespeople on building and construction sites by doing a range of unskilled and semi-skilled manual labouring jobs. Builder’s labourers may specialise by working with particular tradespeople as a trades assistant, a bricklayer’s labourer or carpenter’s assistant.

There are no specific educational requirements for entry to this job. Training is given on the job. You may also undertake further training to become a specialist construction worker such as steelfixer, dogger, rigger, scaffolder or concrete worker.

Painter and Decorator

Painters and decorators apply paint, varnish, wallpaper, and other finishes to protect, maintain and decorate interior and exterior surfaces of domestic, commercial, and industrial buildings and other structures. There are several categories of painting, including architectural painting, which involves the internal or external painting of domestic homes, and commercial and industrial painting which is the painting and preservation of industrial structures and equipment.

Entry to this occupation is by completion of a pre-apprenticeship course to gain a Certificate II in Building and Construction (Painting and Decorating), or a contract of training involving completion of a traditional apprenticeship.

Plasterer

Plasterers make, apply and fix the internal linings of commercial and domestic buildings.

Entry to this occupation is by way of an apprenticeship. There are also pre-apprenticeship courses available.

Plumber

Plumbers are responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining heating, cooling, gas, water supply, ventilation systems, and more.
Plumbers work in domestic settings (homes) and also on bigger commercial construction sites. Plumbers are often licensed across several classes.

To become a plumber, you’ll need to complete an apprenticeship and some classroom-based learning in a program such as Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (Plumber).

Project Manager

Project Managers usually move from one project to the next, working on a particular building or activity until it’s finished, spending plenty of time on site. Liaising with architects and engineers is a daily part of the job, as is negotiating with outside contractors and clients.

Project Managers plan a project from start to finish, oversee the day-to-day running and report on progress, develop contacts with senior staff for each project, and ensure the project is running on time and on budget.

This role requires industry experience, and a formal qualification in engineering, construction, management, project management or related field.

Rigger

Riggers move, place or secure a load (such as plant, or parts of a building or structure) using mechanical load shifting equipment (but not the operation of that equipment). They also erect or dismantle cranes or hoists.

This work requires a high-risk work licence.

Roofer

Roofers cover structures with roof tiles, slates or shingles to form waterproof surfaces. Roofers may specialise in tiling new roofs, repairing existing roofs or removing old roofs and replacing them. Roofers’ work involves a lot of bending, climbing and lifting. They work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Entry to this occupation is by way of an apprenticeship.

Steel Worker

Steel workers construct, install, and repair steel structures for commercial and industrial purposes. They fabricate steel frames, place and bolt girders together, and install steel bars used to reinforce concrete. They work closely with engineers and designers to construct buildings, bridges, dams, and other large infrastructure.

There are no specific educational requirements for entry to this job. Training is given on the job.

Stonemason

Stonemasons cut and shape hard and soft stone blocks and masonry slabs for the construction and renovation of stone structures and monumental masonry (stonework for cemeteries).

Entry to this occupation is by way of an apprenticeship. This involves both on and off the job training.

Structural Engineer

Structural Engineers analyse the statical properties of all types of structures, test the behaviour and durability of materials used in their construction, and design and supervise the construction of all types of structures.

You need a bachelor degree in civil engineering to work as a Structural Engineer. Postgraduate studies may also be useful.

Tiler

Wall and floor tilers lay ceramic, clay, slate, marble, glass, and other types of tiles on external and internal walls and floors to provide protective and decorative finishes. Much of the work is undertaken on new buildings, including houses, shops, offices, factories, and swimming pools, but wall and floor tilers also renovate existing buildings.

Entry to this occupation is by way of an apprenticeship.

Work Health and Safety Manager

WHS Managers are responsible for the performance of their company’s health and safety team, ensuring all standards of business health and safety are understood and implemented. The role includes establishing policies that will create and maintain a safe workplace, evaluating practices, procedures and facilities, conducting training on health and safety matters and accident prevention, monitoring WHS compliance, and inspecting sites, equipment and machinery.

WHS Managers typically hold Bachelor-level qualifications, however, you can gain relevant skills and knowledge through a VET qualification such as a Diploma of Work Health and Safety which will give you an in-depth overview of the WHS Industry and its impact across businesses and organisations.