Construction

Bricklayer

What is a Bricklayer?

Bricklayers work in the General Construction industry, building all types of new low-rise and high-rise structures, including homes, unit/apartment blocks, and industrial buildings. Bricklayers can also build add-ons such as bars, retaining walls and fences.

What kind of work do they do?

• Read plans and specifications
• Carry out measurements and calculations
• Mix mortar
• Use string lines and levels
• Lay Bricks and Blocks to straight and curved walls and surfaces
• Simple concreting.

How do I get into this trade?

To complete a Bricklaying Apprenticeship you would need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. A General Construction Pre Apprenticeship would also be highly recommended as would a certificate one in general construction if you have no previous work experience. You may also be able to start this apprenticeship while still attending school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, are precise and accurate. Having some Maths and problem solving ability is a must. You will be using a wide variety of tools and building materials. Working outdoors in the extremes of the weather should not be a problem. Climbing on structures is part of the job, as is bending, stooping and stretching. Physical fitness is a must as a lot of heavy lifting is involved.

Cabinet Maker

What is a Cabinetmaker?

Cabinetmakers make the cupboards, benchtops and drawers you would expect to find in a typical home. They make them in a factory, then take them to the site and install them. They can also construct items of furniture.

What kind of work do they do?

• Read and interpret work documents
• Produce drawings and cutting lists
• Fabricate and assemble furniture components
• Use furniture sector tools and equipment
• Carry out measurements and calculations

How do I get into this trade?

You need to complete an Apprenticeship in Cabinetmaking. Usually, you will need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school. If you have left school, and have no experience, a pre-vocational course in this area would assist.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, are precise and accurate, and have some Maths ability. You may also have a creative flair. You will be using furniture sector tools and equipment, and will enjoy getting out on site for some of the time.

Carpenter

What is a Carpenter?

Carpenters work in the General Construction industry, building all types of new low-rise and high-rise structures, including homes, shopping centres, unit/apartment blocks, industrial buildings. They can also refurbish old and existing buildings.

What kind of work do they do?

• Read plans and specifications
• Set out and construct wall and ceiling frames
• Construct pitched roofs, eaves, external stairs, flooring systems and install windows and doors
• Use power tools and carpentry materials
• Carry out measurements and calculations
• Perform excavation and minor demolition
• Formwork for slabs, stairs, ramps, columns and beams
• Simple concreting.

How do I get into this trade?

To complete a Carpentry Apprenticeship you would need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. A Carpentry or General Construction Pre Apprenticeship would also be highly recommended as would a certificate one in general construction if you have no previous work experience. You may also be able to start this apprenticeship while still attending school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, are precise and accurate. Having some Maths and problem solving ability is a must. You will be using a wide variety of tools and building materials. Working outdoors in the extremes of the weather should not be a problem. Climbing on structures is part of the job, as is bending, stooping, stretching and lifting. Physical fitness is also important.

Landscaper

What is a Landscaper?

Landscapers work in all kinds of areas, ranging from new houses and estates to Golf clubs, shopping centres, Council parks and Gardens etc.

What kind of work do they do?

• Read plans and specifications
• Build new Garden beds, lawns and paths
• Co-ordinate the planting of new gardens and trees
• Building features out of wood, stone, brick and metal
• Do decorative and mosaic tiling.

How do I get into this trade?

You need to complete an Apprenticeship and become a Landscape tradesperson. This is often done after completing a Certificate 2 in Horticulture Landscaping traineeship. Usually, you will need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school. If you have left school, and have no experience, a pre-vocational course in this area would assist.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, are precise and accurate, and have some Maths ability. You may also have a creative flair. Problem solving will be something that comes naturally to you. You will be using all kinds of tools and equipment. You will be working outdoors so will need to be able to endure all weather conditions. Landscaping involves a lot of heavy and repetitive lifting so you would need to be physically fit.

Painter & Decorator

What is a Painter Decorator?

Painters and decorators work in the construction industry on a wide variety of jobs ranging from preparing new homes for painting to doing full renovation repaints. A Painter Decorator is responsible for matching and co-ordinating the colours both inside and out.

What kind of work do they do?

• Colour matching
• Use rollers and brushes to apply paint to different surfaces
• Apply different base and top coats for varying textures and effects
• Preparing walls and ceilings for painting
• Applying wall papers and other finishing surfaces.

How do I get into this trade?

To complete a Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship you would need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. A Painting and Decorating Pre Apprenticeship would also be highly recommended if you have no previous work experience. You may also be able to start this apprenticeship while still attending school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands and have an attention to detail. As a painter you will use a wide variety of tools and materials. Being around paints, thinners and other chemicals are all part of the trade so a sensitive nose would be a problem. You will enjoy mixing and matching colours and effects.

Plasterer Fibrous

What is a Plasterer?

Plasterers work in the construction industry on a wide variety of jobs. Plasterers are responsible for finishing all wall and ceiling surfaces. A plasterer installs Gyprock and plasterboard panels to walls and ceilings, fills gaps and screw holes.

What kind of work do they do?

• Fitting Gyprock sheeting
• Filling cracks, gaps and blemishes in plasterboard surfaces
• Preparing walls and ceilings for painting
• Fitting cornicing.

How do I get into this trade?

To complete a Plastering Apprenticeship you would need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. A General Construction Pre Apprenticeship would also be highly recommended if you have no previous work experience. You may also be able to start this apprenticeship while still attending school.

How will I know if it’s for me?

As a plasterer you will need to be fit and strong as heavy lifting is involved for the plasterboard and Gyprock. A reasonable understanding of Maths and problem solving is required. You will be the type of person who has an attention for detail and takes pride in finishing a job.

Solid Plasterer

What is a Solid Plasterer?

Solid Plasterers work in the General Construction, applying plaster coatings to new surfaces, putting up mouldings, and resurfacing and restoring old plaster surfaces.

What kind of work do they do?

• Read plans and specifications
• Prepare surfaces for plastering
• Apply plaster and render to flat and curved surfaces.
• Use solid plastering tools and equipment
• Carry out measurements and calculations
• Carry out simple form concreting.

How do I get into this trade?

You need to complete an Apprenticeship in Solid Plastering. Usually, you will need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school. If you have left school, and have no experience, a pre-vocational course in this area would assist.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, are precise and accurate, and have some Maths ability. You may also have a creative flair. You will be using plastering tools and equipment, and will work both indoors and outdoors. Climbing on structures is part of the job, as is bending, stooping, stretching and lifting. Physical fitness is also important.

Plumber

What is a Plumber?

Plumbers work in the General Construction industry installing and repairing all devices that use water. Plumbers fix use all kinds of tools and equipment to complete a wide variety of jobs eg. Insinkerators, dishwashers, drainage, hot waters systems and much more

What kind of work do they do?

• Read plans and specifications
• Install sinks, insinkerators and dishwashers
• Install drainage and pipe work for new homes
• Service, repair and replace hot water systems
• Unblock and repair sewerage systems
• Install gas systems
• Clean, repair and install down pipes and water tanks.

How do I get into this trade?

Usually, you would need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school. If you have left school, and have no experience, a pre-vocational course in this area would assist.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You would probably enjoy working with different things each day. Using your hands would be a must as would working with a wide variety of tools and specialty equipment. Plumbers encounter varying problems with a lot of jobs so problem solving and Maths would need to be of a high standard. Due to tight spaces and a lot of lifting physical fitness is very important for a plumber.

Roof Plumber

What is a Roof Plumber?

Roof Plumbers work in the General Construction industry installing and repairing metal roofs, guttering and downpipes. Roof plumbers use a wide variety of tools and equipment.

What kind of work do they do?

• Read plans and specifications
• Repair and install down pipes
• Install and water proofing metal roofing sheets, gutters and downpipes
• Cut sheeting to fit roof shapes and sizes
• Install and seal skylights.

How do I get into this trade?

Usually, you would need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school. If you have left school, and have no experience, a pre-vocational course in plumbing would be a great assistance.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You are not scared of heights. Climbing on roof frames is an everyday practice. You would also enjoy working with sheet metal and using your hands. Working on roofs outside you would be able to endure all extremes of the weather. Being physically fit is very important due to the repetitive lifting and bending down.

Tiler

What is a Tiler?

Tilers work in the General Construction industry and fix floor and wall tiles to bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and other high traffic areas. They also carry out mosaic and decorative tiling and tile curved surfaces

What kind of work do they do?

• Read plans and specifications
• Prepare surfaces for tiling, including waterproofing
• Use wall and floor tiling tools and equipment
• Carry out measurements and calculations
• Do decorative and mosaic tiling

How do I get into this trade?

You need to complete an Apprenticeship in Wall and Floor Tiling. Usually, you will need at least Year 10 with good results in English and Maths. You may be able to start this apprenticeship while you are still at school. If you have left school, and have no experience, a pre-vocational course in this area would assist.

How will I know if it’s for me?

You will probably enjoy working with your hands, are precise and accurate, and have some Maths ability. You may also have a creative flair. You will be using tiling tools and equipment, and working mostly indoors. Climbing on structures is part of the job, as is bending, stooping, stretching and lifting. Physical fitness is also important.