Common Myths About the Water and Construction Industry

Busting myths not pipes 💧👷‍♀️

This article is presented in partnership with BuildSkills Australia.

When you think of jobs in construction and water, you probably picture hard hats, high-vis and long days on-site.

But these industries and the careers within them have changed a lot. From sustainability to tech, there’s a whole world now that goes beyond the tools.

There’s also heaps of projects within these two industries meaning there’s a demand for jobs and the opportunity to get your foot in the door.

We bust some of the biggest myths young people have surrounding these two industries.

Myth: It’s only for tradies and you're only doing manual labour.

Getting to work at 4am where you’ll be outside and on-site most of the day is not the only thing you can do in water and construction.

Sure, there are heaps of on-site roles if that takes your interest, but that’s just one part of this picture.

There are also lots of other roles. Behind every bridge, treatment plant or pipe, there are teams of people working on them. These are roles such as engineers, designers, project managers, scientists and even data scientists.

Depending on what you’re interested in, there could be a role for you.

Myth: It’s not innovative or high-tech.

Even though there is still a manual element to these industries, technology is constantly levelling-up which means these industries are becoming more and more tech-driven.

We’re talking 3D printing homes, AI systems monitoring water usage and more.

If you like problem-solving, coding, design or digital tools, this could be an ideal gig for you. Plus it’s great if you’re interested in combining tech and the water/construction industry.

Myth: The pay is not competitive.

As you build your skills and experience within the construction and water industry, you might be able to secure some of the best-paying and most secure jobs out there.

Even if you’re just starting out, you’ll be getting paid while working in an entry-level role.

According to the most recent Cencus data, among 15 to 24 year olds who work as construction trade workers, they are the most likely to earn over $1000 a week compared to other occupations in that age group.

For example, more construction trades workers earn over $1000 a week than legal professionals and ICT professionals of the same age and young people in construction trades work have a higher median wage than education professionals and arts and media professionals.

A major perk is that people will always need clean water plus safe and sustainable infrastructure so there’s a constant demand for people within these industries. Skilled trades like electricians, plumbers and heavy machine operators, plus specialist roles in areas like engineering, environmental management and project leadership could bring you a sustainable take home wage.

And it’s not just about the pay check. These careers often come with benefits like flexible work options, travel opportunities, and the satisfaction of seeing the impact of your work in the real world.

These industries are changing fast but for the better. If you’re interested in helping shape these industries, there is a place for you.

Check out BuildSkills Australia for more information.