Comprehensive list of construction careers
Foundation Worker
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So, you want to become a foundation worker? Can you:
- Work in confined spaces like trenches or underneath buildings
- Get a bit dirty but still get the job done
- Use physical strength and work as a team.
- Be able to calculate area and volumes of different shapes
What do foundation workers do?
Foundations workers ensure the safety and stability of buildings by building and installing different types of foundations for building to sit on. Foundation workers learn lots of different skills to get this done. A typical day might see a foundation worker using power tools to make the formwork for a foundation, pour concrete or use heavy lifting equipment to raise a building that is developing cracks.
Foundations workers work in teams and get to use their problem solving skills to make repairs or they may have to work to the precise requirements of an engineer’s plans. Other roles of foundation workers include:
- Excavate and install support.
- Construct underpinning.
- Concreting for foundation work, including install formwork, reinforcement and concrete.
- Install piling including driven piles, cast-in piles, groutcrete piles, compressed piles, and bored cast-in-place piles.
- Dewater site including sump and permanent dewatering systems.
How do I become a foundation worker?
Firstly, you will need to do some work experience so that you know what the job is about. If you think it’s for you, find an employer that is looking for an trainee foundation worker. You will then become a trainee and will you will complete a certificate III in civil construction (foundation work) at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) while also doing on the job training.
Once you have completed your training, you will be a qualified tradie!
What Next?
Once you are a tradie in the construction industry, you can continue working for small or large companies and move into leading hand, supervising or management positions. You might even want to start your own business and employ apprentices yourself. Some tradies even go on to further education to complete courses from Certificate IV to bachelor level. There are plenty of options for qualified foundation worker.
