Concrete
Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. It's used in everything – houses, garden sheds, skyscrapers, aircraft hangers, foundations, storm water pipes and walls.
No Fees
Concrete qualifications are free until 2023. Find out more.
Job Prospects
Very good
Total Fees
FREE until 2023 (previously $2,000–4,000)
Time to qualify
1.5–4 years (depends on qualification)
Career opportunities
Manufacture, construction, production, leading hand, supervisor, project manager, contract manager, contract supervisor, business owner
Qualifications
See it for real
Explore the BCITO My Virtual Construction Site to see if this is the right trade for you.
What concrete professionals do
Concrete professionals create, make and install precast or form structures using concrete. They play a vital role – concrete is used in almost all areas of the building and construction industry. You can specialise in any one of these areas:
Concrete manufacture
You'll use concrete to make precast concrete products like pipes, tanks, cement blocks, panels and beams. You could work in a factory environment, or on a job site installing the products you’ve created.
Concrete production
You'll use special equipment to take raw ingredients and make concrete to product specifications. Then you'll deliver it to where it's needed. You'll have strong technical knowledge and will work directly with clients and other tradespeople.
Sixteen year old Ricky is keen to find out how to make concrete - the most widely used construction product in the world. First he's off to Firth's batching and production plant in Napier.
Concrete construction
You'll use concrete to lay foundations and create large structures like high-rise buildings, shopping centres, stadiums and bridges. You could also install precast concrete products. Concrete construction specialists are the builders of the concrete world.
Kyle from Cashmere High School is interested in a career in concrete construction. He's spending a couple of days with Leighs Construction looking at the type of work that's involved.
Concrete qualifications
The BCITO manages apprenticeships for aspiring concrete professionals. In your apprenticeship you will be working towards one of the following qualifications:
- National Certificate in Precast Concrete Level 3
- National Certificate in Concrete Production Level 3
- National Certificate in Concrete Product Manufacture: Masonry Product Level 3
- National Certificate in Concrete Product Manufacture: Pipe Level 3
- National Certificate in Concrete Construction: Sawing & Drilling Level 3
- National Certificate in Concrete Construction: Placing & Finishing Level 3
- National Certificate in Concrete Construction Level 4
- New Zealand Certificate in Ferro-cement Tank Manufacture Level 4
You will work under an experienced employer who'll provide on-job coaching and support throughout your apprenticeship. You'll also receive the guidance of a BCITO training advisor.
There are no strict entry requirements, although it will help if you have good maths and English skills – you need to be able to understand instructions and work out measurements, quantities and angles.
Your apprenticeship is the start of a professional career
Working with concrete isn't just a job – it's a professional career. By doing an apprenticeship and getting qualified, you're setting yourself up for ongoing employment as a well-paid tradesperson. You’ll also open up opportunities to do further study in supervision or site management, go to university, or start a business and train your own apprentices.
