What are the most in-demand roles in construction?

The construction industry is booming. As Australia’s third-largest employer and an abundance of job opportunities, demand is high for skilled workers. Roles such as site supervisors, project managers and contract administrators are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to construction industry opportunities. All offer competitive salaries and progression throughout.

In 2019, Master Builders Australia proposed in their strong policy manifesto that the construction industry will require approximately 300,000 new skilled workers to address its growth. This highlights the construction industry as an excellent field in which to gain qualifications and start a career through avenues such as apprenticeships, graduate training, and other entry routes.

Construction has showcased great resilience and growth over the past few years. From 2021 to 2022, employment within the construction industry increased by 3.5%. Government investments in rail and road infrastructure and home construction projects have been at the base of such growth.

So, we asked ourselves, what are currently the most in-demand roles in the construction industry? This blog aims to look at the jobs employers are looking to hire for the most and the responsibilities of someone who wants to apply for such positions.

Site Supervisor/Foreman

Working closely with project managers, the site supervisor, or the foreman is essential for ensuring that construction remains on time and of high quality. 

The site supervisor must also deal with any challenges or potential problems on the worksite. 

There are several types of site supervisors to look out for, each with unique responsibilities and challenges. These are the construction and housing supervisors.

A construction supervisor collaborates with architects, project planners, estimators, or project administrators to meet their requirements. Construction supervisors are mainly site-based.

Housing supervisors deal with home building companies as the primary responsibilities of their role.

Project Managers

Project managers oversee and coordinate large construction projects, both on-site and through administrative capacity. 

Their responsibilities include ensuring that work projects are completed on time and within budget and that teams can collaborate effectively and meet deadlines. 

They also work closely with planners and architects to estimate project costs and needed materials. 

Additionally, project managers handle planning, scheduling, construction procedures, and liaising with subcontractors and building owners.

Contract Administrators

Contract administrators play an important role in overseeing and managing all aspects of building contract work. Their responsibilities include:

• Drafting and reviewing contracts.
• Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Negotiating terms with clients and subcontractors.
• Managing project timelines and budgets.
• Resolving disputes or issues that may arise during the construction process.

Contract administrators ensure that projects are completed within budget, efficiently and up to the required health and safety standards.

Additionally, they serve as a link between various stakeholders, such as architects, engineers, contractors, and clients, to facilitate effective communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

Electricians

Electricians are essential in the construction industry. They are responsible for ensuring the safety, functionality, and efficiency of electrical systems within buildings. 

Their duties include installing, maintaining, and repairing wiring, electrical control systems, lighting, and communication systems. By interpreting blueprints and technical diagrams, electricians plan and execute the layout of these systems with precision.

They work closely with other trades, such as plumbers, HVAC technicians, and construction managers, to ensure that all systems are integrated seamlessly and function correctly. This collaboration is crucial for the smooth operation of construction projects, as it helps prevent issues arising from poorly coordinated installations.

In addition to their hands-on work, electricians ensure compliance with local, state, and national electrical codes and standards, which are critical for the safety and legality of electrical installations. 

Plumbers

Plumbers are vital on any construction site. They are responsible for installing and repairing a multitude of network pipes that carry fresh water into a building and remove wastewater.

However, ensuring fresh water flows through the building’s irrigation system isn’t the only task a plumber will be required to complete. Plumbers are also valued for installing and maintaining additional plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, showers, bathtubs, and other appliances like dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines.

The expertise of a plumber ensures these systems and fixtures operate efficiently and comply with safety and health standards.

General Labourers

General labourers face differing responsibilities depending on the specifics of the work site and project requirements, enabling them to be versatile within the construction industry.

Labourers are the backbone of the support network for skilled tradespeople. They help with various tasks and ensure projects run smoothly and on time. They are responsible for assembling and disassembling scaffolding, managing traffic flow around a construction site, and operating power tools for cutting, drilling, and various other tasks.

Their flexibility allows them to take on diverse responsibilities as necessary, making labourers a versatile asset on any work site. While labourers typically do not need any sort of advanced degree, hands-on experience on a work site is highly valued and essential.

Practical experience can significantly improve one’s career prospects, whether as an apprentice or further up the experience chain. It provides pathways to more advanced positions, including increased salaries and job security.

We at Synaco by Synergie are dedicated to supporting our employees. We work hard to provide the resources and support they need to succeed in their roles.

At Synaco by Synergie, a 55-year-old global workforce solutions team, we are deeply committed to workplace safety. This commitment, combined with our focus on providing a supportive working environment, ensures that our employees have the safe and secure workplace they deserve. 

Our Australian-wide labour-hire recruitment services enable us to partner with employers of all sizes across many industries. An essential part of our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our employees consists of our representative spending plenty of time in the field, attending pre-start and safety meetings, training sessions, inductions, work area inspections, and other essential assessments. 

At Synaco by Synergie, we champion safe, productive workplaces – and would be more than happy to assist you with your next career move. The list of our current vacancies is available here.