Be The Boss: I Want To Be A Builder
To become a builder, you usually have to complete a VET qualification in building and construction (Carpenter Craftsan's Certificate for instance). As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You can also become a builder by studying construction management or building at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Personal requirements for a Builder
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Management and leadership skills
- Good planning and organisational skills
- Aptitude for technical activities
- Strong physical ability to handle the workload
- Decision making and problem solving abilities
Being a Builder can be a tough job, and you can’t be afraid to get your hands (literally) dirty if you want to make a career out of it, but there are plenty of benefits to working in building and construction, and Open Collages (Australian) are going to share a few of them with you.
1. Your job doubles as a daily workout routine
Working in the building and construction industry can be physically demanding, and there is a certain level of fitness that is required. You’ll be lifting, pushing, pulling and hauling things across the job site, as well as using machinery and equipment. But unlike an office job, where you’ll be stuck behind a desk all day, working as a Builder means that you’ll be keeping active all day, every day. In time, you’ll see how this will improve your overall fitness levels.
2. Create a strong network
Working on different sites throughout the year means that you’ll be working alongside a variety of people with a wide range of skills. Over time, you’ll build a strong network of contacts and friends. And you never know where those connections and friendships might take you.
3. Being a Builder pays well
As a Tradie, you’ll be earning around $1458 per week, according to the government’s Job Outlook website. This jumps all the way up to $3450 per week for Construction Managers.
4. Work anywhere
The building and construction industry isn’t one that’s limited by geography, whether you live in one of the country’s major cities or in a regional town. As the population of regional areas continues to grow, so will the demand for new infrastructure.
5. Early start means early finish
While construction sites usually start pretty early (around 7am), this just means that you get to knock off sooner! While most office jobs finish at around 5-6pm, Builders can expect to finish earlier than this – which means you have more hours in the day for ‘me’ time. Head to the gym, catch up with mates, join a local sports team or just enjoy extra time at home with your family and doing the things you love.
6. You don’t have to wait for a home renovator
As a professional Builder, you’ll be able to take care of your own home renovations without having to hire someone else. And if there’s something you can’t take care of yourself, or if you need another pair of hands, you can call in a favour from that strong network group we mentioned earlier.
7. Get plenty of sunshine
If you really can’t stand the thought of working behind a desk, then becoming a Builder is the perfect career move for you. You’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, which also means you’ll be getting a healthy dose of Vitamin D every day! Vitamin D is actually incredibly important when it comes to building strong bones and teeth, as well as helping the immune system to function. Just remember to wear the right kind of protective clothing and sunscreen.
8. Job stability and reliability
In 2019, the building and construction industry employed 1.5million workers in Australia. That’s a whopping 9% of the total workforce.³ By 2023, it’s predicted there will be at least another 118,800 jobs created, which is a growth of 10%. And while the industry itself has slowed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, by no means has it stopped. In fact, the building and construction industry may be the key to helping the Australian economy recover.
Are you thinking of starting a career in building and construction?
Open Colleges has a number of building and construction courses that will teach you the skills and knowledge you need to begin your career or take the next step up the (career) ladder. Our courses have been designed by vocational experts, which means that everything covered in your course will be relevant and up to date, while adhering to the highest industry standards. We have three building and construction courses available to study online:
- CPC50210 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
- CPC40110 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building)
- CPC50210 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) (Western Australia)
Triangular Tri Scale Ruler for: Architects, Engineers and Builders reading Building/Construction Plans
Builder as a job information courtesy Australian Open Colleges and The Good Universities Guide, Australia.