As a school leaver, there are many options available for transitioning into the workplace or further study. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to your career in building and construction. But it is important to set some clear goals and keep in mind that it’s okay when things in life don’t go to plan.
Here are a few scenarios that might apply to you:
- You didn’t achieve an ATAR that was high enough for your university degree entry.
- You are a hands-on learner who prefers to work in a practical sense.
- You prefer the outdoors and don’t see yourself in an office environment.
- You are set on going to university but worried about not landing a job.
- You aspire to start your own business in construction.
- You are aiming to obtain your Building licence.
- You would like to become a Construction Manager.
These are all completely valid scenarios and we understand that this can raise some difficult questions. At Master Builders, we speak with many young people, their parents, caregivers and teachers when we are at career expos, events, and visiting schools. In this article, we will answer some of the common questions that we hear, and provide some key facts to help you on your journey as you transition from school into a career. It’s important to weigh up all of the factors so that you can make a decision that’s right for you.
The academic pathway or work experience pathway?
We are often asked the question “Should I do an apprenticeship or go to university?”
It’s a great question. Importantly, whichever option you choose will not mean you are stuck on that path forever. At Master Builders, we have many apprentices both young and mature age, who tried the university route but found their calling on the construction site.
Both routes offer valuable skills and opportunities, however if starting an apprenticeship sounds like the right choice for you, here’s why beginning with hands-on experience through an apprenticeship can set the foundation for a successful career.
Earn while you learn: Cost-effective education
Given the size of most HECS debts taken on to complete a bachelor’s degree, this is often an overlooked aspect of university. It’s very important to consider your current financial situation and what your future may look like when you graduate.
Let’s take the Bachelor of Construction Management for example. When university students graduate, they start out their careers with a big debt to pay for their education. You could accumulate a HECS debt of up to $35,000 with a 78.8% chance of full-time employment after the 4 years of study. Graduates must start paying back their HECS interest loan once they begin earning over the $47,014 per year threshold.
As a Carpentry Apprentice you earn while you learn. This is debt-free education along with many other government incentives to help you make savings. In the 4th year of your apprenticeship, you could be earning $1007 per week on average with a 94.9% full-time employment rate.
This financial benefit makes apprenticeships an attractive option for many, especially for those looking to enter the workforce without the burden of a debt to pay back that accumulates interest.
Hands on work experience, practical skills, character and confidence building
The worksite can teach more than just trade skills. It helps to develop a person’s teamwork abilities, communication, and leadership skills in a dynamic and engaging environment.
One of the most compelling reasons to begin with an apprenticeship is the hands-on work experience gained from day one. Apprenticeships provide firsthand experience in seeing building projects from the ground up, working alongside professionals and tradespeople, and understanding the intricacies of construction sites. This real-world experience is invaluable and allows apprentices to develop practical skills that may not be acquired in a purely academic setting. Apprenticeships help to face the real world much more confidently.
Together with the onsite practical experience, you will be in a vocational training program to complete a Certificate III level trade qualification. In the carpentry trade for example, some of the skills you will learn are to build the components of a house – stairs, wall frames, roofs, installation of doors, windows and flooring, and building pergolas and decks for example. These are invaluable life skills that you don’t get from sitting in an office.
By no means should hands-on work experience be interpreted as not using your brain. In most trades, problem-solving on the go is very important to be successful at your craft. Tradespeople are required to problem-solve regarding measurements, materials, plan interpretations, staff management, safety, client disputes, communications, costing and invoicing to name a few.
A stepping stone to further education
Starting with an apprenticeship doesn’t mean forsaking higher education. In fact, the practical experience gained through an apprenticeship can enhance the learning experience when pursuing further education or qualifications. Apprentices who later choose to obtain a degree often find that their real-world experience provides valuable context for their studies, allowing them to grasp complex concepts easier and contribute more effectively in academic settings. And if the university pathway doesn’t work out, you’ll always have your trade to fall back on. In the building and construction industry, more often than not having a trade background on your resume will make you more appealing to employers when looking for work.
Perhaps entering university as a 21-year-old could be more beneficial for some. You may not have been able to enter when finishing school, but there is still another chance just a few years later. It’s not too late to start and it could be on a part-time or online basis whilst you are already working in the industry. There are more options for studying online at university than ever before. An apprenticeship might be an option for you to work in whilst you are young. But don’t lose sight of your higher education aspirations to improve your career options as these can be worked on once you have finished your apprenticeship.
Job opportunities and professional networking
Employers and clients often prefer candidates with practical experience, making apprenticeships highly valuable for career advancement. As an apprentice, you’ll have the opportunity to build a network of industry contacts, including project managers, site Supervisors, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders. These connections provide mentorship, guidance, and open doors to future job opportunities and collaborations.
The apprenticeship route might seem like a long route, but it will give a future construction manager the best start in the industry. In fact, many Master Builders apprentices in their 3rd or 4th year are given more responsibilities onsite and help the site supervisors. Many apprentices are being prepared to become the next Leading Hand or Foreman.
Think to the future 10-15 years into your building and construction career, with a trade background or background on the tools, you are more likely to gain employment and career growth opportunities or start your own business. You could even be on the pathway to a building licence.
Plus, you will be in demand like never before. Almost 500,000 workers need to enter the building and construction industry by the end of 2026 to meet Australia’s booming population growth and increasing need for dwellings and infrastructure to support it.
So, you want to be a Construction Manager and go to university!
If your heart is set on a university pathway and you have the opportunity to pursue this then that’s also a valid career choice. You might also be able to gain on-the-job work experience during the university holidays or work part-time in the industry.
There are also University cadetships in Construction Management or Project Management (Construction). These are generally applied for through an interview process in the 3rd or 4th year of a university degree during September or October. A cadetship can give you practical onsite experience related to your degree. There are a few building and construction companies that offer cadetships for university students although they are competitive to enter.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your career goals and the specific industry you’re interested in. Some individuals thrive in academic settings and benefit from the theoretical knowledge gained through a degree, while others excel in hands-on environments provided by apprenticeships. It’s essential to assess your personal strengths, career aspirations, and the demands of your chosen field when making this decision.
Personal fulfilment and sense of accomplishment
The passion for building can start at a very young age and in many different ways. It could be the satisfaction of building your first Lego set. Then your next Lego set is more complex and bigger with moving parts. The next thing you know your whole lounge room is full of Lego structures on display for everyone to see.
Many people find that working in a trade offers high personal satisfaction due to the tangible results of their efforts, such as being part of building a home, installing an electrical system, fixing a plumbing issue, or finishing a renovation. And how could we forget, in Carpentry the smell of freshly sawn timber is amazing!
According to the Australian Industry Group’s report: Connecting the dots: Exploring young Australians’ pathways from education and training into work, only those who have continued to postgraduate study experience the same high level of job satisfaction, stronger employment outcomes and earnings as those that completed an apprenticeship or traineeship.
So, if you’re tossing up between an apprenticeship or university, it’s important to consider how much job satisfaction matters to you, and how long you’re willing to study for to achieve it. There are not many careers that you can confidently display or demonstrate to your loved ones and retell the story of how you were a part of building that!
Transition from school to work life
Choosing between a university and an apprenticeship isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. It depends on your career goals, learning style, and financial situation.
Master Builders can help young people transition into an apprenticeship or traineeship. Our programs are designed to offer high-quality, hands-on training, equipping apprentices with the essential skills and knowledge needed for a successful career. Through a combination of practical experience and vocational training, Master Builders ensures that apprentices are well-prepared to meet the demands of the industry and excel in their professional journeys.
All Master Builders apprentices are assigned a Master Builders Field Officer, who is available to discuss any matter or incidents that may occur on-site and will support the apprentice throughout their journey. This can be valuable for resolving on-site issues where the apprentice does not have the experience to deal with it independently or is uncomfortable discussing their concerns directly with their Host Employer. This is a further safety net which can be comforting for parents, knowing that there is extra support available if needed.
The construction industry thrives on practical skills and real-world experience. For those aiming to enter the building and construction industry, starting with an apprenticeship is a strategic choice that paves the way for a successful and fulfilling career.
Well-known and successful people with a building background.
Fouad Deiri OAM – Chairman and Managing Director of Deicorp
Fouad Deiri is the epitome of success in our sector, having grown up in Sydney’s West, starting work as a Carpenter, forming his own building company and in 1999, establishing Deicorp and rising to be a powerhouse of property construction. In October 2023, the Executive Committee of the peak industry association, the Urban Taskforce Australia, announced that Deicorp’s founder and chairman Fouad Deiri OAM had been selected as their 2023 Property Person of the Year.
Scott Cam – TV Personality and The Block host
After growing up in Sydney, Scott completed a four-year apprenticeship in the carpentry trade with his older brother’s business. His apprenticeship was an achievement pivotal to the rest of his life. It gave him a solid foundation for a career path that he never could have imagined. Following five years working and travelling around Australia, working at cattle stations, doing carpentry jobs and building boats. Scott set up his own building business which he has owned and operated for more than 20 years. He was approached for a screen test; starting his career in television.
David Chandler OAM – NSW Building Commissioner 2019 – 2024
David was introduced to a family friend working in construction, who eventually encouraged him to study the subject at UNSW. Rising from a construction cadet to project manager, Chandler was eventually recruited to solve the ticking time bomb that was Canberra’s new parliament house. The building project was two years behind schedule. As Adjunct Professor in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics at Western Sydney University, David helped shape the next generation of construction professionals and founded the Centre for Smart Modern Construction, which invests in new academic and research capabilities for the construction sector. David was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1989 for his services to the construction industry. David was appointed to the role of NSW Building Commissioner in 2019 after an impressive forty-year career in the Australian construction industry.
Anthony Bleasdale OAM (1946 – 3 May 2024) – Australian politician
Arriving in Sydney by boat in 1963, Tony spent 40 years in the building industry, including time as a bricklayer and union official, before entering local politics. Tony served as a Labor councillor on Blacktown City Council from 1996 and Mayor of Blacktown until his death in May 2024. In the 2010 Australia Day Honours, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the community as a supporter of charitable organisations, and to local government in the Blacktown area.
