Friday, March 15, 2013

Construction Industry Jobs in Australia

By T L Charleston


The construction industry is one of the largest employing industries within Australia, employing close to 10% of the countries work force, only slightly behind retail trade, health care and social assistance and manufacturing. The construction industry is divided into three broad categories; residential construction (houses and units), non-residential construction (offices, shops and community buildings) and engineering construction (bridges, roads, utilities etc.). All three categories are carried out by both the government and the private sector.

Within each area of construction there is a large spectrum of jobs and careers ranging from administration jobs like secretarial work, general office work and receptionist jobs to unskilled labour, trade work and professional jobs. Unskilled job opportunities include general labouring, painting and cleaning. The range of trades in the construction industry is huge and covers trades such as builders, carpenters, joiners, electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, glaziers, welders, pipe fitters, stonemasons etc. Professional careers withing the construction industry include, civil and structural engineers, architects, quantity surveyors and civil estimators.

Salaries across all areas of construction are generally good, and are notably higher than the national average across all industries. The position held, the sector and the type of construction plays a part in the level of salary offered, with the private sector traditionally paying higher wages.

Construction jobs are found throughout Australia, with booms happening sporadically in different regions depending on other outside influences like the recent boom in the mining industry in Western Australia. Not only was there a need for improvements in infrastructure to buoy up the increase in workers in the area but extra housing was also needed to accommodate the influx of mining industry workers. At the time of writing this article, Queensland was experiencing a dramatic increase in construction due to recent natural disasters damaging large areas of residential and commercial property.

Recent figures show that the industry growth in Australia is starting to accelerate after a recent period of slower growth reflecting the GFC. A steady growth over the years has ensured that the construction industry is one of the largest and most important employing industries in Australia.

Those considering looking for work within the construction industry in Australia will need to complete a White Card training course. Anyone working on a construction site is legally required to hold a valid White Card certificate which indicates the holder has completed a 'work safely in the construction industry' course. The course has been designed to cover all safety issues including identifying and minimizing work place hazards, reporting accidents and much more. Classroom style courses are available from accredited companies or the course can be completed online. Online White Card training courses have an advantage of being readily accessible and can be completed anytime 24/7 over a couple of hours or a couple of weeks. The online courses are generally more affordable and the participant doesn't need to pay until the course if finished and passed. White Cards are nationally recognised and have no expiry date.




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