Building / Construction

The building and construction industry involves much more than laying bricks or tiles, fixing pipes and constructing floors.

It is a $60 billion a year, globally competitive business that employs nearly 1 million people (870,000) around Australia.

A new trend in this sector is that a host of emerging technologies that has led to a demand for people with the right skills and qualifications.

There is also significant scope for self-employment in this sector, with about 26 per cent working for themselves and another 6 per cent being employers.

The top regions in which to find work in building and construction are, in order: South and East Moreton Qld, Illawarra and South Eastern NSW, Fairfield-Liverpool Sydney, South and East Brisbane, North Perth, North Western Sydney, the Hunter Region, Richmond-Tweed Mid North Coast, Brisbane City Outer Ring and Outer Western Mebourne.

So if you enjoy working outdoors and with your hands, are interested in practical work and have an eye for accuracy, consider one of the many careers in the field of building and construction.

SPOTLIGHT - What careers are there?

Carpentry and joinery - A carpenter works with timber and other building materials to install, repair or renovate structures and fixtures. They also may mve into cabinet and furniture-making. Qualified carpenters are considered to be very adaptable, with experience in transferring skills across materials and equipment.

Glazing - Glaziers cut, shape and install glass used in windows, including shop-fronts, doors, walls, mirrors, display cabinets and furniture. A glazier undertakes the three main areas of: cutting glass, bevelling or smoothing edges, and fitting or glazing into prepared openings.

Sign craft - Signwriters design, paint and build signs on various surfaces including brick, wood and plastic to attract attention and provide information -from business banner advertisements to wall murals. This career suits people that have visual flair, are good at design and drawing and have a talent for colour, form and style.

WHERE DO PEOPLE IN THIS INDUSTRY WORK?

• Building companies
• Interior design and renovation companies
• Construction firms
• Government departments
• Signage and Outdoor Advertising firms
• Building materials / Hardware suppliers
• Entertainment Industry: Staging and Rigging
• For themselves
  

 

SOURCES – Career Advice Australia; World Skills Australia 2005/06 Skill Up Booklet; Australian Jobs 2006 by Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), TAFE SA, ABS YearBook 2007.