JUST SOME OF YOUR
CAREER choices
Discover a career in
the civil industry as a…
FOUNDATION
CONSTRUCTOR
The foundations of any civil infrastructure must be strong and deep. This role focuses on getting dopwn into the earth or rock and ensuring the security of the project being built
THE ROLE
Civil infrastructure like bridges, roads, dams, buildings, and railway lines need to have deep, strong foundations to ensure they are safe. In this role you will prepare and build those foundations. This will have you excavating earth, drilling (sometimes with drill bits a metre wide!), setting up steel reinforcing and concreting. You will be outdoors and will NOT work in an office!
THE CAREER
WHERE WILL YOU WORK?
Everywhere there is infrastucture being constructed and maintained, which means … EVERYWHERE!
WHO WILL EMPLOY YOU?
You will have lots of options. Small, medium and large businesses, all engage civil foundation constructors.
HOW SAFE IS IT?
Foundation work is doing some inteesting stuff in interesting places! However, the civil construction industry is very safety focused. Modern civil construction work is very safe and he achinery very advanced.
IS THE WORK TECHNICALLY HARD?
Foundation work is challenging, becasue you never know what is under the surface, but not complex. Your employer will train you on the job in each task and each piece of plant you operate.
IS THE WORK PHYSICALLY HARD?
It depends on the particular job you choose to take, but you will need to be reasonably fit. That said, everyone is different and employers know and allow for that.
THE TRAINING
IS THERE TRAINING PROVIDED AND WILL IT COST YOU?
Yes, there is training involved. The good news is yo8u employer will train you and pay for it. If you want to get a qualification it will be paid for by the employer and the Government.
IS THERE A QUALIFICATION?
Yes, if you want to do it. It’s not essential, but you can receive a Nationally Recognised Qualification such as a Certificate III in Civil Foundations.
CAN YOU GET A TRADE?
Not directly, but you can do a Traineeship. Many of the subjects in a Cert III in Civil Foundations are common to other civil contracting Aprenticeships.
REQUIREMENTS
WHO IS SUITED TO THE JOB?
People who like working outdoors and who enjoy practical tasks.
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO START?
You have to be at least 14 years of age.
WHAT SUBJECTS AND GRADES FROM SCHOOL DO YOU NEED?
There are NO minimum score results, or
ARE THERE ANY PREREQUISITES TO STARTING?
No. Your employer will even pay for your safety gear!
THE FUTURE
IS THERE A FUTURE CAREER?
Absolutely. While civil infrastructure work is being undertaken, foundations will have to be constructed.The work does not limit you either – the skills are very useable in other areas of civil.
WILL YOU HAVE TO MOVE AROUND?
It’s your call. Some employers have projects in different locations, and it’s your call when you pick an employer If you do move however your expenses are often covered by the employer.
CAN YOU GET MORE SKILLS LATER?
Yes, if you want to.There are Certificate IV’s, Diplomas and management courses you can do. Its your call what you do and how far you go!
CAN YOU GO TO UNI ONE DAY?
Yes. The practical skills you learn will be very useful for engineering-related courses.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
There are a few options… Many workers start their civil work being a Site Hand on general civil projects and then move into the more specialised foundations area. It is possible to do a traineeship.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
To find out more, check out our Civil Jobs Guide or look at this role’s detailed description on our website www.careerincivil.com