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Useful experience for concrete workers includes:

• paving
• bricklaying
• work in the construction industry.

Concrete workers may do some or all of the following:

• read and interpret plans or drawings
• weigh and mix concrete materials (gravel, sand, cement and water)
• sample and test the mix
• prepare boxing (formwork) and/or lay reinforcing
• pour, spread, compact, smooth and polish concrete, by hand or machine
• drive heavy vehicles such as concrete trucks.

Specialised concrete workers may also:

• install items such as anchor bolts into concrete
• spray concrete on areas such as retaining walls and swimming pools
• cut concrete using power cutters.

Strong demand for concrete workers

Chances of getting a job as a concrete worker are good due to:

• steady growth in construction, which is predicted to continue until at least 2023
• the $850 million Transmission Gully project north of Wellington, which is expected to be under construction until 2020
• national and local government plans to spend over $5 billion on transport each year until 2028, with a focus on building and maintaining safer roads, walkways and cycleways
• the tendency for concrete workers to move to less physically demanding roles as they age, which creates vacancies
• a shortage of workers.

However, like many building jobs, this role can be affected by economic conditions. A downturn in the economy can lower demand for concrete workers.

According to the Census, 1,683 concrete workers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied 

Concrete workers in the construction sector may be employed by:

• contractors that specialise in working with concrete
• builders and building firms that employ a range of tradespeople and labourers.

Some concrete workers are self-employed or work in small teams that contract to builders.

Cement and concrete plant workers are employed by cement and concrete manufacturers.

Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO)

0800 422 486 - info@bcito.org.nz - www.bcito.org.nz

Concrete workers can progress to become team leaders or may start a business and manage their own team of concrete workers. They may also move into construction project management. 

They may specialise in:

• manufacturing concrete products
• producing cement and concrete as a raw material
• constructing buildings out of concrete.

Concrete workers need to be:

• careful and accurate
• responsible and reliable
• hard-working and practical
• able to follow instructions
• able to work well in a team.