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Parents
As a parent of a high-school student, you may have concerns about your child’s future career. Are they going to choose the right career? It’s challenging to know what the ‘right career’ is for each child. The opportunities in construction for a successful career may be better than what you think.
Why construction?
The construction industry is a large growth industry. The construction sector employs more than 1.1 million people in Australia. There are a diverse range of career opportunities available. If your daughter has some of the following qualities, an exciting career in construction may be the right option:
- open to learning
- mathematics and problem-solving skills
- communication and reading skills
- technology skills
- interested in creating things
- enjoy working in a team and being proactive.
What types of construction roles are available?
With the massive growth in infrastructure in Australia, there are many rewarding careers available. Some roles in the construction industry include:
- Electrician
- Engineering manager
- Civil engineer
- Painter
- Cabinet maker
- Bricklayer
- Scaffolder
- Carpenter
- Plant operators
- Contract administrator
- Building designer
- Project manager
- Site supervisor
- Environmental designer and many more!
For more detail on specific occupations, career paths and qualification requirements for roles, head to the Careers NSW website or Women Building Australia.
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Women are welcomed and encouraged to pursue a career in construction
Has your child shown an interest in building or trades? Employers are continuing to realise the benefit of hiring and promoting more women in the construction industry. Find more resources for parents below.
Subject selection: A guide for parents
Watch Career conversations at home
Watch School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships
NESA – how a VET qualification can be recognised towards the HSC
VET courses – information for you about your child applying for a VET course in NSW
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships
Educators
Construction jobs and career pathways
Your role as a teacher or careers adviser is so important in guiding young women towards successful and rewarding careers. Some young women know what they want to do, others need more information, or are still exploring their options.
When speaking to young women about a career in construction, it’s important to have the facts to help them make an informed decision.
With $112.7 billion infrastructure pipeline in NSW, the construction industry needs women to fill a range of roles, including trades and non-traditional roles to meet growing demand.
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A World of Opportunity in Construction
Consider young women’s strengths, interests and hobbies:
- Do they like making things with their hands?
- Would they like to do/have they done any VET units at school?
- Are they creative and critical thinkers who like to solve problems?
- Are they doing, or considering STEM topics at school?
- Are they good communicators with leadership qualities?
If the answer to some of these questions is ‘yes’, an exciting career in construction may be the best option.
Women are welcomed and encouraged to pursue a career in construction
Do your students show an interest in building or trades? Employers are continuing to realise the benefit of hiring and promoting more women in the construction industry.
11 videos cover topics including SBATs and VET, guiding the career conversation at home and insight into growth industries: