Building & Manufacturing

Building

Would you like to design, build, sell, maintain or renovate homes, shops, restaurants, office buildings, roads or even railways? If so then the building, construction, property services and facility management field could interest you.

There are many skilled occupations to choose from: bricklayers, stonemasons, carpenters & joiners, cabinetmakers and painters to name a few.

You could specialise in glass & glazing, floor & wall tiling, plastering or plumbing. You could also work on large construction sites as a civil construction supervisor (roads & pavements) or bridge construction worker. And of course you can move into supervisory and management roles later.

Training & Qualifications

Certificate III qualifications in construction and related trades include Metal roofing and roof plumbing, Electrotechnology (electrician) and Cabinet making - furniture making.

There are advanced qualifications for more senior or supervisory roles too, such as:

• Building Site Manager - Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Site Management)
• Specialist Plumber (Air conditioning and mechanical services) - Diploma of Plumbing and Services.

Manufacturing

There are thousands of manufacturing businesses in Australia, employing almost one million people in fields as diverse as textiles, clothing and footwear, fine trades and craft, metals, heavy machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, plastics and hydrocarbons, cablemaking, electrics & electronics and even aerospace.

You could work as a blinds & awnings maker, electric guitar maker, security door maker/installer, process supervisor (glass), furniture upholsterer, timber sander & polisher, CAD/CAM (computer aided design/ computer aided manufacturing) operator or sail maker - just to list a few of the many occupations available.

New developments in sustainable manufacturing aim to produce goods in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way - and at the same time maintaining, if not improving productivity.

Training & Qualifications

Qualifications give you the skills to work with specific materials and production techniques. They include Certificates III in Clothing production, Textile Fabrication or Wood Machining, for example.

With experience and initial qualifications you could further your career with the Certificate IV in Competitive Manufacturing and Diploma of Competitive Manufacturing qualifications, for example.

Advanced qualifications are also available for supervisory roles, such as:

• Timber manufacturing supervisors - Certificate IV in Timber Processing
• Furnishing supervisors - Certificate IV in Furnishing Technology.

More information

Australian Apprenticeships Job Pathways (check the Manufacturing)

Manufacturing Skills Australia Detailed information on careers & training options including hi-tech, aerospace, marine and traditional sectors.