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Civil Construction
What do Road Workers do?
Road workers compact, level and spread materials to form roads and foothpaths, perform minor repairs to damaged surfaces, maintain bridges, and repair signs and guideposts. Road workers also undertake general roadside maintenance such as grass cutting, weed control and litter collection.
Road Workers may perform the following tasks:
- Clear scrub, strip grass and remove topsoil
- Assist with preparation for laying drains
- Spread gravel to form the road base
- Operate tank-truck distribution or hose to spray tar, road oils and emulsions on the road before surfacing
- Operate paving machines or spread stone chips, gravel or asphalt onto road surfaces
- Erect and dismantle barricades and construction signs
- Direct traffic through the construction area
- Load and unload equipment and clean the worksite
- Calculate the quantities for ordering materials
- Landscape surrounding areas with trees and grass seed
With experience and sometimes further training it is possible to more specialised task and/or supervisory positions.
Road workers may work as members of a small roadwork team.
How do I become a Road Worker?
To become a road worker you generally have to complete a traineeship in Civil Construction (Bituminous Surfacing or Road Construction Maintenance). The traineeship involves both on and off the job training. The off the job training is provided through a Registered Training Organisation (RTOs). Entry to the certificate course generally requires a minimum of year 10 completion.
Qualifying as a Road Worker involves:
- 12 to 18 months commitment
- Attending paid work with a "host employer" for the duration of the traineeship
- Attending off-the-job training at an RTO
Ideal personal requirements to be a Road Worker include:
- Enjoy practical and outdoor work
- Physically fit
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Able to work as part of a team