School’s almost out and the sun’s shining. With a bit of luck you could be earning some solid coin while building and maintaining the crucial civil infrastructure that keeps communities thriving and Kiwis connected to their loved ones over the holiday break.
A summer in civil construction means the office has no walls, you get to enjoy different views of New Zealand’s great outdoors every day, and your pay packet comes with a boost of real-world skills that could launch a rewarding career.
Civil Contractors New Zealand Workforce Development Manager Rebecca Fox says the industry offers something special for young people seeking purpose.
“It’s an exciting industry to come into. There’s opportunities for individuals to develop multiple careers – you can definitely create your own adventure.”
Whether you’re at school or considering a career change and want to give the industry a try, here’s some pro tips to landing summer work in civil construction.
Labour hire: Fast track to getting onsite
Recruitment companies that hire labourers offer an express lane to civil construction work. Specialising in matching workers with contractors who need extra hands over the summer period, these firms handle the placement and paperwork, making it easy for you to get started quickly.
Key players in the labour-hire space include Allied Work Force, RobLawMax, The Labour Exchange and Managed Labour Exchange, all of which have strong relationships with contractors across the country and understand the skills and attributes employers are looking for.
Rebecca says the beauty of labour hire is flexibility. You might spend a week helping to build a bridge, move on to a roading project, then tackle something totally different, all the time gaining exposure to different aspects of the industry while discovering what you enjoy most. The on-the-job learning opportunities can equip you with transferrable skills that soon stack up.
Chase internship opportunities
If you want to make some money and get some good work experience over summer, you could also take a look at the CCNZ ‘Find a Contractor’ map, and connect with your local contractor to see if they have an opportunity available for you.
If engineering is your thing, the big names in civil construction – Fulton Hogan, Downer, Brian Perry Civil, and HEB Construction – sometimes advertise internships and casual positions on their websites as they gear up for a busy summer. While some formal internships target engineering students specifically, there’s no harm in putting your best foot forward and contacting companies directly to get on the radar.
Most companies out there value initiative and may have entry-level positions that aren’t widely advertised. Check the careers pages of their websites regularly, but also consider calling their local offices directly to introduce yourself and tell them what type of roles you’re looking for. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Rebecca says people looking for work should check out the EPIC Projects Map, which has been updated with recent award-winning projects – perfect for identifying which companies you might want to work for near you.
Career advisors can connect you
Rebecca says career seekers shouldn’t underestimate the power of their school’s careers advisors. They can connect students with contractors which have asked them to put the word out about vacancies and find suitable summer-work candidates to fill them.
“It’s a great idea to speak to your careers advisor and see if they are aware of any opportunities. They can also help match your skills and interests with the right roles.”
Rebecca advises keen students to keep an eye out for notices and updates sent to parents, which might alert you to contractors looking for an extra pair of hands.
Sometimes it’s who you know
The best opportunities can come from conversations around the BBQ or through family friends. The civil construction industry has always valued personal recommendations, and many successful careers started with someone’s uncle, neighbour or mate offering them a chance to prove themselves on site.
Rebecca says the tried-and-true method of networking is still effective.
“If you’re at school and you’re going to get work experience, it’s most likely you’re going to get that through a family member that’s working there.”
Don’t be shy about mentioning your interest in civil construction work to everyone you know. That casual chat with your rugby coach or your parent’s colleague could be the connection that lands you a summer job which turns into a career for life.
Digital doorways: CareerWise and MyMahi
Online platforms CareerWise and MyMahi are online platforms specifically designed to connect young Kiwis with employers, and give you access to job listings in civil construction, Rebecca says.
“Students have access to it, teachers have access to it, parents have access to it.”
Some schools use one platform, some use the other and some use both, making it worth checking out both options – especially as creating a profile is free.
Setting yourself up for success
Rebecca says being open to trying new things is an important ingredient for success in civil construction.
“Be curious, be prepared to say ‘yes’ and step out of your comfort zone. Imagine your future self in five years’ time and the advice you’d want to give yourself now. Better to give it a go and find you like it rather than wonder if you might have!”
The industry offers a career for life, with room to manoeuvre into different roles and advance to create your own adventure – whether that’s operating massive machinery, managing complex projects or running your own contracting business one day, she says.
For those ready to put their best foot forward, check out EPIC’s comprehensive guide on creating a skills-based CV for civil construction jobs. Remember, in civil construction attitude often matters more than experience and summer work is the perfect way to test the waters.
Your epic career in civil construction could start with a single summer – all you need to do is say ‘yes’! Explore our Careers Roadmap to find out more about the wealth of opportunities that await you.
