Building and Construction Courses

Building and Construction in Australia

Building construction is what keeps our cities growing, our economy flowing and hundreds of thousands employed. As one of the more important industries in Australia, it’s not only growing rapidly but also the home of the ‘Million-dollar Tradies’, with the potential to earn big bucks if you’re willing to put in the hard work and demands that come with the job.

What Are Some Careers in Building and Construction?

There’s a huge range of careers in building and construction, some of which have plenty of promising career opportunities. In Australia, popular construction and trade careers include:

• Builder
• Carpenter
• Joiner
• Electrician
• Plumber
• Floor Tiler
• Drafter
• Construction Manager
• Stonemason
• Building Technician
• Laborer

Do I need to Undertake an Apprenticeship? Becoming a Construction Manager

Most careers start out in a building or construction apprenticeship, supported by a contractor of a company that has a partnership or a training program that assists in covering costs. During this time you will learn all about what it means to work in the building and construction industry and obtain the relevant qualifications for you to become a fully capable labourer. This is how virtually everyone in the industry begins their career, and if you can put up with the physical labour and outdoors; you can eventually lead your way up to a career as a Construction Manager.

A typical tradesman will work their way up from the bottom, putting in the hard work and long hours, until the fruits of their labour begin to show. Often, once qualified, individuals will form their own small business and start hunting for their own personal clients and contracts. Once qualified, there is the chance to work across the country, with skilled workers always in demand throughout the nation.

Industry Outlook – How Do I Become a Builder in Australia?

With the industry worth $212 billion (approximately 8% of the Nation’s entire GDP), and currently employing over one million workers; it’s one of the largest industries in Australia. It can be divided into two major sectors: residential and non-residential construction. The building and renovating of personal houses form the backbone of the residential sector, with public projects such as infrastructure, bridges, roads, schools, hospitals, as well as private nonresidential projects such as office buildings, warehouses, tolls roads and more.

The building and construction industry is not just focused on building either; there is a significant market for refurbishing and renovating old structures to return them to their former glory. Every business must comply with the Australian Building and Construction Commission, the governmental body that governs all compliance and frameworks to create a fair, efficient and productive workplace.

The construction industry is also set to kick start the economy post-COVID, as we settle into a new normal. This means that there is great opportunity and job security, along with other industry benefits.

Building and Construction Courses

While you can get into an entry level position with nothing more than a hard hat, a positive attitude and some steel toed boots, many individuals who plan to move beyond this ground level work know that the best way to get ahead is through a quality education.

With various certificate, diploma, and bachelor level qualifications available, there is a building course to suit your specific needs, wants, and capabilities.

Just some of the building and construction courses you can do to start your career include:

• Certificate II in Construction (Pre-Apprenticeship)
• Certificate II in Construction Pathways
• Certificate III in Carpentry (Apprenticeship)
• Certificate IV in Building and Construction
• Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services
• Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
• Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
• Diploma of Building Design
• Diploma in Building
• Diploma in Civil Engineering Online
• Diploma of Building and Construction Online
• Bachelor of Building Management

Regardless if you’re a recent high school graduate or a mid-career professional looking to change direction, or advance into managerial roles, there is a style of building industry training for you!

Certificate Course

Whether you want to get started in civil construction, or just want to go through some short building surveying courses; a Certificate qualification is a great way to kick start your career. Often taking only 6-12 months to complete, these builder’s courses are a fast track to beginning your career.

Alternatively, they are a great way to quickly up-skill or diversify your knowledge, allowing you to get a boost in job prospects no matter where you are in your career. A course such as Certificate II in Building and Construction can act as a pre-apprenticeship, giving you the knowledge you’ll need to make the absolute most of your time working in a building apprenticeship. One common choice is the Certificate IV in Building and Construction, which leads on to the very popular Diploma of Building and Construction.

Diploma Course

A common move for recent graduates and mid-career professionals alike is the Diploma of Building and Construction or the more complex Diploma of Building and Construction Management. This degree is the perfect choice as it provides an excellent mix of theoretical and practical knowledge that is essential for anyone wishing to pursue a higher level managerial role.

Whether it is managing a construction site or a whole company, this course gives you a running start. Additionally, there are many other courses too, and in general, a diploma level qualification will only take you between 1-2 years. Often they can be completed part time to fit in with your busy work schedule, and offer a great stepping stone into positions unavailable to those without a degree.

Bachelor Degree

The more ambition individuals may seek to tackle a Bachelor degree such as a Bachelor of Construction Management. These take between 3-4 years full time and can offer your in-depth and highly valuable insights into areas such as civil works, civil construction and more. Usually, a bachelor level course will cover everything you need to know about the planning, implementing, managing, and reporting aspects of a building and construction career, offering you a chance to step directly into a role at a large company managing multiple accounts and teams. For those who are serious about the managerial or business side of the building and construction industry, a bachelor is a right choice for you.

What Are the Necessary Skills and Responsibilities For a Builder?

Working in the building and construction industry is a hard task. You must be physically capable of performing demanding tasks every day of the week, and working in various weather conditions. You will need a good eye for precise measuring, adjusting, and have a practical mind. Strong hand-eye coordination, as well as the ability to work independently without supervision and often under pressure.

You will need to be able to process sometimes complex mathematical equations in your head and apply that to the task at hand. You need the ability to work within a team, and if you wish to pursue a management career you need to be able to delegate and manage a team of often diverse backgrounds and abilities. You will also need to be capable of assessing potential health risks and hazards and the appropriate work licences, as this industry can experience many accidents if the appropriate measures are not taken.

Women and the Construction Industry

The building and construction industry isn’t exclusively for men — more and more women are successfully breaking into the industry.

Opportunities for women in the building and construction industry:

• The construction industry continues to rapidly grow
• The number of women in construction jobs is increasing every day
• Guaranteed hours and good pay
• Strong career progression opportunities
• Female workers have strong industry support