Adam explains that you don’t need to be ‘on the tools’ to have a career in construction
Have you considered a career in the booming field of construction? The jobs on offer might be radically different from what you imagine.
Even though Adam grew up around his father’s subcontracting business, he didn’t realise what construction had to offer. “At 17, I really had no idea how many forms a career in this industry could take,” says Adam.
While being a brickie, carpenter or sparkie might come to mind, it’s only part of the picture. “Tradespeople are vital and our industry desperately needs more of them, but jobs requiring people to be ‘on the tools’ are really just one aspect of construction,” he explains.
Put your skills to work
Adam wants young people to know that there is a wide range of construction careers available.
- Love numbers and spotting tiny details? Investigate estimating or quantity surveying, where you help work out project costs.
- Always sketching ideas? Explore architecture, design or engineering.
- Are you the person who gets the group assignment moving? Project management could be worth a look.
Every building project needs project managers, construction managers, engineers, architects, designers, estimators, quantity surveyors and commercial teams, as well as tradespeople.
Plus, there are people working in safety, technology, finance, marketing, human resources and business development.
“There isn’t just one career in construction, and there isn’t just one type of person who succeeds in it,” says Adam.
Ready for work experience?
Rohrig’s project portfolio includes schools, so their team is often excavating, pouring concrete, or operating cranes on campus! Adam and the Rohrig team are working to make these opportunities learning experiences.
In the Rohrig School Partnership Program, students are invited onto their school’s construction project at various stages, when it’s safe to do so. Students meet property managers, site managers, designers, estimators, and safety and commercial teams.
The program is structured as three-day work experience. That’s plenty of time to spark interest and help students identify what parts of the business interest them most!
Is your school interested in learning more about construction? Contact Rohrig about the School Partnership Program.
Adam’s path
- Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety, People Safe Australia
- Bachelor of Construction Management, Western Sydney University
- Project Manager, Rapid Construction
- Project Manager, ADCO Constructions
- Senior Project Manager, ADCO Constructions
- Construction Manager, Growthbuilt
- General Manager, Growthbuilt
- General Manager NSW, Rohrig Constructions
