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Concreter

Also known as Concrete Worker.

Concreters place, spread, compact, finish and cure concrete for buildings, roads, tunnels, bridges and marine structures, using hand tools and automated machinery.

For most jobs, concrete is mixed at a pre-mix concrete supplier's factory and delivered to the site in a pre-mix concrete truck.

Concreters usually work outside on construction sites that may be dusty and noisy. Much of their time is spent standing or kneeling and they may also have to work at heights or underground in tunnels.

They may travel from job to job and usually begin work very early in the morning.

Concreters may specialise as concrete finishers, concrete cutters or concrete slab layers. There is a considerable difference in the work done by concreters working on high-rise buildings and those working on smaller residential and commercial buildings.

There is a growing industry in precast concrete where concrete elements are cast and cured in factories then transported to the site for use.

TASKS

Concreters may perform the following tasks:

mix cement, gravel, sand and water to make concrete on site
move concrete into position using a concrete pump
place concrete into the formwork (usually temporary wood or steel moulds), ensuring it is spread and levelled, then compacted using vibrators
operate paving and trowelling machines to float, trowel and polish the concrete surface
create different surface textures by tamping, smoothing and shaping the concrete surface with a variety of hand tools
cut joints into hardened concrete
mix and apply pigments when a coloured surface is required
dig foundation trenches if working on residential or small commercial projects

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

able to cope with the physical demands of the job
able to lift heavy objects
enjoy practical and outdoor work

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

You can work as a concreter without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.

You can also become a concreter through an apprenticeship or traineeship in Concreting.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

Additional Information

In the ACT, concreters must either hold, or work under someone who holds, a valid builder's licence. Contact the ACT Planning Authority for more information. In NSW, concreters carrying out building work valued at more than $1000 must either hold, or work under someone who holds, a valid building contractor's licence issued by NSW Fair Trading. See their website for more information.

Workers in the construction industry must undergo safety induction training and be issued with a Construction Induction Card (CIC). In NSW, training is conducted by Registered Training Organisations authorised by SafeWork NSW. In the ACT, training is provided by Registered Training Organisations approved by WorkSafe ACT.

Once you are employed, you may be able to develop, and have recognised, additional skills under the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package that will expand your career opportunities within this industry.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The majority of concreters are employed on building and construction sites by building and construction companies, or by subcontractors or Group Training Organisations. A small amount of work is generated by other uses of concrete, such as kerbing, driveways, paths and retaining walls. With experience or further training, labourers may progress to skilled positions.

Due to changing conditions within the construction industry, including differences in the demand and supply of various construction materials and the use of new technologies, the availability of work may vary.