How to Move Up the Ranks in Construction

One of the things that people often think about a job in construction is that once you’ve become a qualified tradie, like a carpenter or a plumber, that’s basically it for your career. But there are actually loads of ways you can move up the ranks in construction, or even switch things up. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can keep an eye on as you start your construction career.

Starting Your Own Business

This is a pretty common move if you’re looking to take your trade career to the next level. Starting your own trade business  means that you get to set your own hours, prices and pay (within the law, of course), which means way more freedom. On the other hand, it’ll be your responsibility to manage your taxes, super and liability insurance as well.
You’ll also need to find your own work, which means having some marketing skills won’t go astray either. Something like a VET course in Business Administration or Marketing could be a great way to give your new business the edge it needs.

Getting Extra Skills

If you’re not really interested in the business side of things, you could also increase your skills and your value by getting additional skills or specialising. For example, as an electrician, you might take an interest in installing and maintaining renewable energy like solar panels or wind turbines. These tasks go beyond the everyday work you’d be used to as an electrician, so you’ll need to get additional training to make sure you do the job correctly and safely.

While this can be challenging, it means that you’ll be able to offer a bigger range of services, or do something that very few people in an area are capable of doing, which will help you secure larger, better-paying jobs.

You could also consider becoming someone who designs systems and infrastructure, rather than building it themselves. Someone such as a Civil Engineer is in charge of planning major infrastructure projects. They require at least a Certificate IV in Civil Engineering, but depending on your career experience, you may be able to finish the course sooner using something called Recognition of Prior Learning.

Getting Into Management

Another way to branch out in your career is to explore more managerial positions. This usually means that rather than working directly on the structures being built, you’ll be taking a birds-eye view of the project, making sure that the construction teams, upper management and clients are kept up to date on its progress. It’s a big responsibility, but can be super-rewarding.

The great thing about working in the construction industry is that unlike some other sectors, you don’t need a university degree to get a job in management. For example, if you want to become a Project Manager, you can start off with a Cert III in your chosen trade qualification, complete a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice, and then complete your Diploma of Project Management.

These management roles usually require at least five years of experience as well, because it’s important to have an understanding of how things operate on the ground level.

As lots of tradies will tell you, there’s never a dull moment in construction. That being said, if you ever get the itch to switch things up, there are loads of options that will keep you feeling challenged, fulfilled and rewarded for your hard work and expertise. So what are you waiting for? Find out what a career in construction could offer you with our short course The New-Print of Construction.