Construction
Construction Worker
Construction workers perform a variety of tasks involving physical labour on construction sites.
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Entry-level education
Junior secondary school certificate or equivalent
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Job outlook
What does a Construction Worker do?
Construction workers perform a variety of tasks involving physical labour on construction sites. Construction workers may also be known as builder’s labourers or labourers.
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Work activities
As a construction worker, you might:
- control traffic passing near, in, or around work zones
- clean away debris, rubble and other waste materials
- prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hazards
- read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities
- load or unload building materials, machinery, or tools, and distribute them to the appropriate locations
- lay out areas where construction work will be performed, through measurements or markings
- operate hand and power tools of all types
- dig trenches and erect or dismantle scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris and other waste materials.
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Key skills and interests
To become a construction worker, you would need:
- a good level of physical fitness
- to enjoy practical and outdoor work
- good teamwork skills
- a good awareness and understanding of on-site safety issues
- to be able to follow precise directions.
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Working hours and conditions
Working Hours
In a full-time job you would work a standard number of hours per week, which may include weekend shiftwork.
Conditions
Most construction work is physically demanding. Some construction work needs to be done at heights or outdoors in all weather conditions. Construction workers have a high rate of injuries and illnesses.
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How to become an Construction Worker?
Entry Level Education
You can work as a construction worker without formal qualifications. You would get some training on the job.
You can also become a construction worker through a traineeship or apprenticeship in Construction or Civil Construction. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require junior secondary school certificate or equivalent.
Construction workers who work at heights must complete a Work Safely at Heights short course. All those who work in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (CIC). Authorised training is conducted by Registered Training Organisations.
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Job outlook
Employment of construction workers is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.
Construction workers work in all fields of construction, and demand for labourers will mirror the level of overall construction activity. The growth in new residential and commercial construction, as well as building, repairing and replacing infrastructure, should result in steady demand for construction workers.
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