What can we do for you?
A career in construction means being part of something big – one of the biggest and most exciting industries in Queensland. Nothing compares with construction for being able to earn while you learn on the job (with an apprenticeship/traineeship), work outside in constantly changing scenery and dozens of career pathways, maybe even leading to owning your own small business one day.
School Students
The Gateway to Industry Schools Program (Gateways) is a partnership between the Queensland Government and CSQ which aims to transition young people from school to work, while completing school and gaining formal qualifications. The program focuses on priority industries which underpin employment and economic growth within the construction industry. Key activities include linking industry and schools to understand their trade and para-professional skill requirements and facilitate work experience opportunities.
Key activities include; working with construction and civil industries to understand their trade and para-professional skill requirements, facilitate work experience placement opportunities for students and partnering with industry to support their role connecting students to work experience opportunities.
CSQ runs Try’a Trade through high schools to raise awareness of the roles and careers options in construction. Each year a selection of schools are invited to send students to attend an interactive program that lets attendees try their hand at various skill and trade areas.
During the day, students receive instruction from trainers before having a go at a range of trades, for example, carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical, plastering, tiling or bricklaying. Students also gain invaluable career advice from apprentices, local employers and industry representatives.
Try’a Trade participants get to taste-test whether a job in construction might suit them. It can be extremely helpful in a student’s decision-making process.
There is a range of technical jobs in the construction industry beyond traditional trades, called paraprofessional roles. Paraprofessional roles such as architectural drafting, civil engineering, estimating and surveying are crucial to the construction industry and can offer an exciting and rewarding career.
CSQ runs Try’a Skill through high schools to raise awareness of these paraprofessional options. Each year, Try’a Skill partner schools are invited to send selected students to attend the program and explore whether a paraprofessional job might be a good fit for them.
Try’a Skill events generally take place on a construction site, mimicking the blended working environment of most paraprofessionals; who work both in an office and in the field.
Career Seekers
CSQ supports Pre-trade programs which are designed to equip individuals with the skills they need, combined with industry experience to start a career in construction.
These programs have been developed to help potential workers achieve entry into the industry, and/or a trade, and help keep our industry supplied with qualified staff.
Ready For Works kits are supplied by CSQ to Providers delivering Pre-trade programs such as the Trade Ready and other approved programs.
Ready for Work kits include basic personal protective equipment (PPE) for participants.
Trade Ready provides additional skills and experiences to individuals who have some entry level experience working in the building and construction industry general or civil sectors to build their job readiness and prepare them to transition into a career in building and construction.
This Trade Ready program offers:
- further job readiness and work preparation
- selected construction short courses to build skills and employability
- valuable industry-led work experience.
Being better prepared for the industry will increase the likelihood of individuals completing an apprenticeship and being retained in the industry.
Do you have skills and experience but no formal qualification? CSQ can help you get your existing skills assessed, and then fund your gap training, so you can receive a nationally accredited building and construction qualification.
To be eligible for this funding, participants must be able to demonstrate Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) experience in at least 70% of the competencies required by the trade qualification. The remainder of the qualification is then made up by Gap Training.
Construction Careers
There are so many career options to choose from across general and civil construction, and with a range of trade, para-professional and professional pathways, there’s sure to be one that’s just right for you.
If you are interested in becoming an apprentice, Australian Apprenticeships Pathways and Apprenticeships Info have great information available to help you get started in the building and construction industry.
Or view our list of 70 careers in construction to help you see what’s available and to find your ideal career path.
The Gateway to Industry Schools program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.