Building Your Construction Career: 2020 Information Toolkit

Despite decreasing apprenticeship commencements in the construction industry over the last few years, trades remain one of Australia’s highest paying and strongest growing workforces. 

It’s physically demanding, challenging and incredibly rewarding work. On top of the personal satisfaction of staying fit, solving complex problems and watching your work come to life, as a tradesperson you’re also contributing to one of Australia’s most vital resources: infrastructure.

As far as career stability, growth and variation goes, the construction industry is a goldmine for all three. It’s a broad industry, where career opportunities can stretch from working your way up to a construction manager, to starting your own business.

If you like challenging, hands-on work then a career in building and construction is a great option – regardless of whether you’re fresh out of high school or looking for a career change later in life. 

If it’s the first time you’ve entertained the idea of starting a trade, you might be wondering:

• How will you find an apprenticeship?
• Is it possible to get a foot in the door as a mature age apprentice?
• What are apprenticeship minimum wages?
• How will you be able to live off an apprentice wage?
• What is it actually like working in construction?
• Is construction a safe industry to enter during the pandemic?

In this toolkit we’ll explore all of these things in eight chapters. You’ll also get to read insights and advice from apprentices currently working in various areas of construction.

Apprenticeships can be tricky to come by, and even harder to stick out if you’re not prepared to work hard. Only 56.2% of trades apprentices actually complete their apprenticeship. This statistic is the reason Australia is experiencing crucial skill shortages in the industry, but ironically, it also creates your opportunity to step up and demonstrate your worth to future employers.

Quick Industry Stats

Sources: NCVER & Job Outlook

CHAPTER 1

The Different Trades and Salaries

The Different Trades and Salaries

Before diving headlong into construction, you need to decide which field you want to start in.

Source: PayScale (based on experienced skill-level salary)

Job Outlook also has an extensive list of trades in the construction industry you can check out.

CHAPTER 2

Vital Skills (You Probably Already Have) 

Even before we get into field-specific skills, like carpentry or plumbing, there are some general skills and qualities that will help you stand out to employers and allow you to excel on the job.

• Listening and communication

• Eagerness to learn

• Decision-making

• Organisation

• Great memory

CHAPTER 3

Construction Job Descriptions

Let’s outline the role and responsibilities of carpenters, plumbers and construction managers. Carpentry and plumbing are both trades currently listed on the Additional Identified Skills Shortage list, meaning if you choose to start an apprenticeship in one of those areas you’re likely eligible for financial incentives.

Carpenter 

Carpentry is a trade found mostly in the building and construction industry, and is a versatile field of work. Carpenters construct and repair structures of wood, as well as other materials like fiberglass and plastic. Their work can range from erecting building frameworks, to installing insulation, to creating cabinetry, windows and other fixtures.

Key Abilities

Duties:

• Follow client blueprints and building plans
• Install various structures and fixtures
• Measure, cut and shape the various materials required
• Inspect and replace damages structures, fixtures or frameworks
• Operate tools and machinery 
• Provide direction to labourers 

Plumber

Plumbing is another varied and broad field of construction, and they can work anywhere from residential, to commercial, to industrial sites. Plumbing isn’t just about working with installing and maintaining sewerage systems. It can also include the installation and maintenance of water supply systems, gas appliances, and cooling and heating systems, among other things.

Key Abilities

Duties:

• Interpreting blueprints to plan plumbing layouts
• Installing, repairing and maintaining plumbing structures
• Inspecting and testing plumbing systems
• Using machinery to cut and assemble pipes, tubes, fittings and fixtures
• Problem spotting – catching potential problems with plumbing structures before they occur.
• Problem solving 

Construction Manager

Construction management is a natural career progression for many people working in a trade. Many construction managers have cut their teeth through a trade apprenticeship and gained years of experience in that field before undertaking a higher-level building and construction course. A Certificate IV in Building and Construction or Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) are common next steps.

Construction managers are the most sought after professionals in construction, and lead a variety of projects, including civil engineering, commercial and residential, agriculture, institutional and industrial. On average, construction managers can make between $62k and $192k a year.

Key Abilities

Duties:

• Oversee all onsite and offsite construction work
• Oversee and direct construction projects from conception through to completion
• Coordinate and direct construction workers and labourers
• Undertake risk management assessments
• Review work progress and provide reports outlining job status
• Ensure the construction adheres to regulatory requirements and standards
• Thoroughly review each project and plan ahead to schedule deliverables, estimate costs and prevent problems
• Ensure safety compliance

CHAPTER 4

How to Find an Apprenticeship

Once you’ve decided the industry you’re keen to work in, your next step is to find an apprenticeship.

To get started, you first need to find an employer to take you on, and sign a formal training contract with them.

There are several ways to go about finding an apprenticeship:

• Meet with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider
• Find apprenticeships online & apply
• Use your industry contacts

Meet with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider

Getting in touch with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider or a Group Training Organisation (GTO) is a great way to gain additional support on your job hunt.  

If you register with a GTO’s they actually become your direct employer, and you are then hosted out to a ‘host employer’, where you’ll complete work day-to-day. GTO’s often have a list of apprenticeship jobs to be filled, which can make your job search a lot easier.

Find Apprenticeships Online and Apply

• Look for advertisements on job sites

  There are many national and state job sites that will advertise apprenticeships. You can even set up alerts for when certain jobs pop up, so you can get your resume in quickly. Just remember, if you’re only looking for jobs on these sites, you’re probably doing yourself a disservice, as many employers won’t utilise these services. You’ll have more luck if you spread yourself across a few platforms.

• Get on social media and look for open positions

  If you’ve got a preference for a certain company, find them on social media platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn and keep an eye out for job postings. Better yet, you could reach out to the employer directly – just be aware that they will be able to view your social media profile when you do, so either keep your settings on private, or delete anything you wouldn’t want an employer to see.

Use Your Industry Contacts 

You might be surprised to know that many apprenticeships aren’t advertised, and in fact, a hidden job market exists where roles are circulated through trade networks. If you have any contacts in the area of trade you want to get into, leverage them to get a job interview. These contacts could be friends, family, or even acquaintances, but it’s best if you can get in touch with someone who can vouch for your character, work ethic and willingness to learn.

A Final Year Plumbing Apprentice’s Experience

At 23 years old, Lachie is in the final stretch of his plumbing apprenticeship. With a qualification in sight, he shares his experience and insights for others wanting to start an apprenticeship.

What made you decide to start your apprenticeship?

“I always liked building things and working with my hands and tools, probably because I grew up with my dad building and renovating houses.”

Was it difficult to get your apprenticeship? 

“Personally, no, I already had a lot of contacts I could call who got me an apprenticeship starting the next day.”

What have been some challenges so far? 

“Probably the low pay rate as an apprentice and trying to buy all my tools. They’re really expensive once you start adding it all up, not to mention buying a car capable of carrying everything you need. My first year, when I was 19, paid $13 an hour.”

What do you find rewarding about your apprenticeship?

“Getting to see the finished product of your work is really rewarding and it’s always fun on site with all the other tradies having a laugh and getting through the day.”

What would be your advice for someone wanting to complete an apprenticeship after high school? 

“If you’re getting into it after school, start as soon as you can. The faster you start the sooner you finish and find a company you enjoy working with. Your first year is always the hardest, so push through it.”

CHAPTER 5

How to Get a Mature Age Apprenticeship 

The ‘easy point of entry’ everyone talks about as one of the benefits of doing a trade isn’t so applicable to mature age apprentices. 

It’s not always an easy-in when you’re older, and that’s primarily because of the higher costs of taking on an adult apprentice – almost double the cost of a teenager. Because of that, it’s a little more difficult to find an employer who’s willing to take you on. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Here are three people who did it.

Billy, 45, First Year Carpentry

“Ultimately the thing that pushed me to start was that the role I was working in was causing me too much stress. I just needed to make a change. I thought, why not take the opportunity to do something that I actually enjoy doing. So I essentially changed careers.”

Hughy, 22, Second Year Plumbing

“It was initially hard to get my foot in the door, because a mature age apprentice costs nearly twice as much as a regular apprentice so you need a boss to really take a chance on you. I ended up getting my apprenticeship through a friend who referred me to their boss, as they were short on staff at the time.”

Richard, 23, First Year HVAC

“For anyone considering taking on an apprenticeship, I would say that it’s never too late to start it. Even though it’s a bit daunting, particularly with how low the wage is, it’s doable and worth sticking it out the few years to become qualified.”

Key Takeaways for becoming a mature age apprentice:

• Demonstrate your value and maturity to potential employers. 
• Leverage your life experience and what you can bring to the table.
• Do your research and find out whether completing a pre-apprenticeship will set you ahead.
• Use your industry contacts to your advantage, and ask them to refer you to their employers.
• Have some money saved and a solid budget ready to go so you can cope with the wage decrease.
• As daunting as it might seem, it’s never too late to start.

Australian Apprenticeship Pathways also recommends that you:

• Look for jobs at large companies, because they are likely to be less concerned with paying higher wages.
• Contact employers directly by cold calling. This will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your initiative and outline your value to them, as well as minimising potential competition with younger applicants who won’t do this.
• As Billy suggested, find a solid way to market yourself to an employer. Give them reasons (financial incentives or otherwise) why you’re a better fit for them than someone younger.

Finally, don’t be discouraged if you’re struggling to get callbacks. It can be challenging to find an employer, but there are ones out there that will be open to giving you an opportunity. 

CHAPTER 6

Apprenticeship Wages

1st Year Apprentice Wages:
Ages 16-20

1st Year Apprentice Wages:
Ages 21+ : 

*All figures are approximate based on full-time employees, not working in Queensland, who don’t have any additional benefits or subsidies.

For more specific information regarding your minimum wage, check out Fair Work’s Pay Calculator.

CHAPTER 7

Making Ends Meet

There’s no question that apprentice wages are a struggle to live off, especially if you’re over 21 and have life’s many financial responsibilities resting on your shoulders. 

In times like this, it can be difficult figuring out if the risk of financial instability is worth it. But, before thinking you can’t pursue a trade – especially as a career change – because the wage decrease will be too steep to handle, it’s a good idea to look into the many financial support options that could be available to you. 

Other loans and allowances you may be eligible for:

• Living Away from Home Allowance

  If you’ve had to move away from your parent/guardian’s home to complete your apprenticeship, you may be eligible for a weekly allowance over the course of your study.

• Trade Support Loans

  Eligible apprentices will have access to loans of up to $21,078 over the course of their study.

• The Australian Apprenticeship Incentives Program (AAIP)

  This program outlines that if you’re completing an apprenticeship leading to a job listed on the Additional Identified Skills Shortage (AISS) List, you’ll receive additional financial incentives one year into your apprenticeship, and again upon completion.

CHAPTER 8

Industry Effects of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a 13% decrease in the number of Australians starting a construction apprenticeship according to NVCER’s March Quarterly Snapshot. On top of this, the number of suspended apprenticeship contracts is at a record-high.

To counter this, the government launched its economic response: the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy. While this subsidy doesn’t go directly to apprentices, it does go to employers who chose to retain or re-engage eligible apprentices, and means they receive a 50% subsidy of the apprentice’s wage to keep them employed.

You can read about eligibility here.

While this subsidy won’t directly help get new apprentices employed, it may free up some cash-flow for employers to take some on anyway. 

COVID-19 has also meant the revised apprenticeships initiative, ‘Incentives for Australian Apprentices’, which was set to replace AAIP in June 2020, has been pushed back until January 1st, 2021. This new initiative included a reduced list of payment categories (from 31 down to 14), however the 14 categories would include additional financial incentives. 

Regardless, financial incentives for employers who take on new apprentices (including mature age apprentices) do still exist, so employers won’t be too hesitant to take on new people. Plus, with the government pushing harder than ever for people to upskill in particular trades, pandemic or not, now is an ideal time to look into starting a construction career.

The construction industry will continue running, while many other industries, such as real estate, come to a standstill. The Prime Minister has stated that construction is an economic priority, and it is predicted that it will help pull Australia through the COVID recession.