Building and Plumbing Labourers

Building and Plumbing Labourers perform a variety of routine tasks associated with erecting and repairing structures and facilities, maintaining stormwater, drainage and sewerage systems, excavating earth and clearing and levelling sites, and installing and maintaining piping systems, fixtures and water regulators.

  • The Job
  • The Facts
  • Related Courses

What the job involves

  • Loading and unloading building and construction materials, tools and equipment and transporting them around building sites
  • Erecting and dismantling temporary structures such as barricades and scaffolding
  • Mixing, pouring and spreading materials such as concrete, plaster and mortar
  • Cleaning and carrying out minor repairs on stormwater drains and canals, and checking for cracks and leaks in sewerage systems
  • Digging holes and shovelling excavated material onto conveyors, wheelbarrows and trucks for removal
  • Spreading and levelling soil, gravel and sand on roads and driveways, trench bottoms and similar locations
  • Assisting with assembling and installing piping, valves and fittings
  • Assisting with installing fixtures such as toilets, wash basins and sprinkler systems

Key values of workers in Building and Plumbing Labourers

  • Relationships

    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

  • Working Conditions

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

  • Independence

    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

  • Achievement

    Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

  • Recognition

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Top skills required for workers in Building and Plumbing Labourers

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Coordination

    Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

  • Operation and Control

    Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

  • Operations Monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.