Thinking of a career in construction?
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.
Construction offers
- Excellent job stability and earning potential
- Great work/life balance
- In-demand skills and travel opportunities
- Opportunities for earning whilst you are learning through an apprenticeship/traineeship
- Many construction pathways – over 60 job types
- Lots of funded training to grow your career
- Varied work and job sites with changing scenery
- Great career progression on and off the tools
Choosing between Uni or Non-uni
There is a lot to think about when choosing a career. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the options and pressure to make the right choice. Don’t stress, you’re not alone. Many young people haven’t decided what they want to do yet and it is not uncommon to change over time. What is important is finding a career where you can succeed.
A great construction career starts here
There are fantastic career available in the building and construction industry. Find one that is right for you and start building a successful career today. Below are some of the many careers in construction.
Non-uni Construction Careers
| Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic | Painter |
| Boilermaker | Pipelayer |
| Bricklayer | Plant Operator |
| Builder | Plasterer (Wall & Ceiling Liner) |
| Cabinet Maker | Plumber & Drainer |
| Carpenter | Railway Track Worker |
| Concreter | Renderer (Solid Plasterer) |
| Crane Chaser (Dogger) | Rigger |
| Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator | Roof Plumber |
| Electrician | Roofer |
| Fencer | *Safety Professional |
| Floor Finisher | Scaffolder |
| Formworker | Shotcreter |
| Gasfitter | Signwriter |
| Glazier | Steel Fixer |
| Labourer | Stonemason |
| Lagger | *Surveyor |
| Landscaper | Trades Assistant |
| Lift Mechanic | Traffic Controller |
| Linemaker | Wall and Floor Tiler |
| Mechanical Fitter |
Uni Construction Careers
| Architect | Geologist |
| Building Inspector | Geotechnical Technician |
| Construction Lawyer | Interior Designer |
| Construction Manager | Landscape Architect |
| Contract Administrator | Planner |
| Digital Engineering Lead | Quantity Surveyor |
| Engineer (Civil/Structural/Mechanical/Electrical/Geotechnical) | *Safety Professional |
| Environmental Management | *Surveyor |
| Estimator | Urban Designer |
Education providers
CSQ offers a range of materials and activities aimed at boosting students’ and education providers’ understanding of working in the construction industry. Some of the programs available to schools in Queensland include:
- Construction Chats: bringing construction industry speakers into classrooms to have a real conversations about the real-world experience of working in construction.
- Virtual Reality Construction Experience: an immersive virtual reality learning experience that gives students exposure to a construction work environment.
- Try’a Trade: an interactive program that allows high school students to try their hand at various skills and trade areas such as carpentry, tiling and plumbing.
- Try’a Skill: an interactive program that allows high school students to try their hand at construction careers that often require a university pathway, such as surveying, engineering and environmental consulting.
- Student Site Tours: allow students to tour a live construction project, seeing first hand the career pathways in a real-life setting.
- Teacher Site Tours: offer teachers and guidance councillors the professional development opportunity to tour a live construction project.
Please contact us at [email protected] for more information on our programs and resources for Schools, Students and Career Seekers.
Apprenticeship options
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.
Ready For Work kits
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.
The Gateway to Industry Schools program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.