Building and Construction Careers
Work in building and construction can involve building anything from fences or decks, through to houses, offices or hospitals. It also includes building, installing or maintaining parts of buildings such as insulation, plumbing, air-conditioning or electrical systems and interior fitting such as joinery, painting and decorating. People working in the industry can range from labourers through to qualified tradespeople, building contractors and management roles.
- Aluminium Joiner
- Aluminium joiners make aluminium products such as doors and window frames.
- Architect
- Architects plan, design and advise on the construction and alteration of buildings. They also arrange building contracts.
- Architectural Technician
- Architectural technicians interpret sketches and designs produced by an architect, architectural designer or client. They make working drawings, such as floor plans, elevations, sections and details, and associated documentation of buildings. These are used to obtain resource and building consents, and for pricing and construction purposes by builders.
- Bricklayer
- Bricklayers primarily lay bricks and concrete blocks to construct and repair buildings, walls, arches, chimneys and paved areas. They may also work with tiles and other materials.
- Building Contractor
- Building contractors run their own business and plan, supervise and work on the construction and alteration of buildings.
- Building Control Officer
- Building control officers advise on and interpret the laws and standards that control the construction of buildings, and ensure that these laws are followed. This involves processing building consent applications and conducting building inspections during the construction process. Building control officers also inspect the condition of properties and provide advice to clients intending to purchase a property.
- Building Insulator
- Building insulators install or apply special material to buildings or to the exposed surfaces of equipment to prevent or reduce heat, cold, air, sound or moisture.
- Cabinet Maker
- Cabinet makers make and repair furniture for homes, businesses and boats.
- Carpenter
- Carpenters work on-site building, repairing and installing structures such as foundations, walls, roofs, windows and doors in large and small buildings.
- Concrete Worker
- Concrete workers pour, spread and finish concrete for a variety of structures such as buildings, stairs, footpaths, driveways, patios and bridges.
- Construction Site Manager
- Construction site managers organise and supervise the building and repair of roads, bridges, buildings, tunnels, dams and wharves.
- Crane Operator
- Crane operators use cranes for lifting and moving objects such as parts of buildings, water tanks, concrete panels, building equipment, boats or machinery. There are many types and sizes of cranes operating in a wide variety of industries.
- Drainlayer
- Drainlayers lay and repair sewage and storm water drains, and put in and repair waste water treatment systems.
- Electrician
- Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical wiring and equipment.
- Fencer
- Fencers construct and repair fences, walls and gates.
- Fire Protection Engineer
- Fire protection engineers consult and advise on how to apply fire safety features to buildings so that they meet the New Zealand Building Code. They also design building facilities for life safety and property protection in the event of a fire.
- Floor Covering Installer
- Floor covering installers lay, replace and repair floor coverings such as carpet, linoleum, vinyl and wooden flooring.
- General Labourer
- General labourers do a variety of manual tasks on worksites such as forests, gardens, construction sites and roads.
- Glazier
- Glaziers install or replace glass or mirrors in commercial or residential buildings, vehicles or boats. They may also create decorative glass features.
- Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning Engineer
- Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning engineers design and supervise the building, installation, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and equipment.
- Joiner
- Joiners measure, cut, prepare and assemble timber and timber board products to make interior fittings such as kitchen cabinets, doors, window frames and stairs.
- Land Surveyor
- Land surveyors map the Earth's surface to determine boundaries, locations, topographic features and man-made structures.
- Mechanical Services Tradesperson
- Mechanical services tradespeople install, maintain and repair the equipment used for heating and cooling buildings, or for controlling the temperatures in food storage areas.
- Painter and Decorator
- Painters and decorators apply decorative and protective finishes to the interior and exterior walls, doors, windows and other surfaces of buildings.
- Paver
- Pavers resurface outside areas with cobblestones, tiles, concrete or other materials.
- Plasterer (Exterior)
- Exterior plasterers apply cement-based plaster or modified plaster to the ceilings, floors and the inside and outside walls of buildings.
- Plasterer (Interior)
- Interior plasterers plaster joints in walls or ceilings and coat them to make a paintable finish. They may also secure plasterboard to the inside framing of a building, which is called fixing.
- Plumber and Gasfitter
- Plumbers and gasfitters assemble, install and repair the pipes, fixtures and fittings used to supply water and gas or remove wastes.
- Quantity Surveyor
- Quantity surveyors manage construction project finances. They calculate a budget based on their client's requirements, and prepare detailed estimates to ensure the budget is sufficient for each stage of construction as the project develops.
- Refrigeration Service Engineer
- Refrigeration service engineers install, service and maintain refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.
- Roofer
- Roofers repair or install roofs, using a variety of roofing materials such as roofing iron, tiles, butyl, and shingle.
- Scaffolder
- Scaffolders put up and take down scaffolding for building, painting, repairing, seating and industrial purposes.
- Security Systems Technician
- Security systems technicians install and maintain security systems.
- Stonemason
- Stonemasons work with stone and rock to make structures such as houses, walls and paving. They may also work on renovations and restorations of historic building, churches and cathedrals.
- Structural Engineer
- Structural engineers analyse, design and manage the construction of a range of load-bearing structures such as houses, commercial buildings, sports stadiums, hospitals, bridges and telecommunications towers.
- Survey Assistant
- Survey assistants help a land surveyor or survey technician with the practical tasks involved in measuring land for maps and plans.
- Survey Technician
- Survey technicians measure and study land under the direction of a land surveyor or engineer.
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