Careers in Construction and Extraction

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

Construction and Extraction

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

Requires Vocational Training or a Diploma

Solar Energy Installation Managers

Construction and Extraction

Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.

Requires Vocational Training or a Diploma

Boilermakers

Construction and Extraction

Construct, assemble, maintain, and repair stationary steam boilers and boiler house auxiliaries. Align structures or plate sections to assemble boiler frame tanks or vats, following blueprints. Work involves use of hand and power tools, plumb bobs, levels, wedges, dogs, or turnbuckles. Assist in testing assembled vessels. Direct cleaning of boilers and boiler furnaces. Inspect and repair boiler fittings, such as safety valves, regulators, automatic-control mechanisms, water columns, and auxiliary machines.

Requires Vocational Training or a Diploma

Brickmasons and Blockmasons

Construction and Extraction

Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.

Requires a Matric Certificate

Stonemasons

Construction and Extraction

Build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. Lay walks, curbstones, or special types of masonry for vats, tanks, and floors.

Requires Vocational Training or a Diploma

Carpenters

Construction and Extraction

Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.

Requires a Matric Certificate

Carpet Installers

Construction and Extraction

Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.

Requires a Matric Certificate

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

Construction and Extraction

Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.

Requires a Matric Certificate

Floor Sanders and Finishers

Construction and Extraction

Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.

May require a Matric Certificate

Tile and Stone Setters

Construction and Extraction

Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.

Requires a Matric Certificate