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The Builder
The Builder
Builders manage the construction, alteration and renovation of houses and other buildings. They are also responsible for coordinating the people and trades required to complete a building project.
A great builder is technical, hands-on, good at managing people, and comfortable overseeing a complex matrix of concurrent tasks and projects. Builders are often ambitious and entrepreneurial; there are ample opportunities for builders to develop a strong and profitable business by delivering high quality homes and renovations and growing a reputation for their projects.
Meet the builder: Colleen May
Colleen May is the General Manager of May Constructions, a commercial and multi-residential building and property development company. Her role involves whatever it takes to sustain and grow the business. Colleen has her finger in every pie. Management and operations are a focus, but a large part of her time is spent in compliance.
‘The building industry today is very complex and as builders and business owners we are expected to be experts in a wide range of areas, not just construction,’ she explains. ‘This is where membership of the HIA is invaluable, they have our back.’
‘I love the variety of my job, I never know what my day is going to bring,’ Colleen says. ‘I love working with our people and ensuring that they are equipped and supported to be the best that they can be,’ she continues.
Colleen came into the industry with a business background, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Canberra followed by stints working around the country and overseas. After building her business, Colleen was elected President of HIA Victoria in 2008 – making history as the first (and only) woman to hold this position in the region’s history. ‘I was acutely conscious of my responsibility to members and of the legacy of service entrusted to me by those who had gone before,’ she says. Being the first female to step into this role ‘raised a few eyebrows at the time, but the overwhelming majority of people were extremely supportive’.
‘I was motivated to join the industry to bring the broad range of skills I had acquired over the years to a dynamic business where I could influence its direction and development,’ Colleen says. “There are so many opportunities in our industry to follow your passion and I have found myself travelling down paths I could never have imagined.’
Colleen's top 5 tips
Take control of your destiny.
If you want it, you must be willing to go out and get it because no one else can do it for you.
Embrace diversity.
Be inclusive, generous, forward-thinking and proactive. Advocate to make a difference.
Seek out female role models.
Find women who demonstrate that a career in construction is attainable.
Be generous in supporting and encouraging others.
Choose to be a contributor, your ideas are valuable.
Builders in Australia: key statistics
Employed
47,800Median age
45Female share
5%What a builder does
Plans, organises and manages residential building, alteration or renovation projects, including the budgets and the schedules.
Assesses and interprets architectural drawings, building plans and technical specifications, and determines appropriate construction methods to use.
Develops quotes and negotiates with clients throughout the construction process.
Manages the submission of building plans to local authorities and arranges building inspections during construction.
Consults with clients/owners, architects, engineering professionals, property developers, building designers and construction trades workers to plan and manage the building, alteration or renovation process.
Coordinates and prioritises resources, including subcontractors, materials and equipment, across residential building projects.
Schedules subcontractors, monitors the building, alteration or renovation process, and ensures work adheres to building standards and government rules and the client requirements.
Manages and monitors work health and safety requirements.
Identifies and resolves issues or delays in the building, alteration or renovation process.
How to get qualified
To get qualified as a builder, you'll need to complete your Certificate IV in Building and Construction. You'll also need either a current carpentry or bricklaying contractor licence or a Diploma of Building and Construction.
A trade apprenticeship is a powerful first step towards a career as a builder. Join the HIA apprentice program and start your new residential building career supported every step of the way by our friendly and experienced team.
