SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Construction Laborers

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Bituminous Asphalt Technician
  • Construction Laborer
  • Construction Worker
  • Drop Crew Laborer
  • Equipment Operator (EO)
  • Form Setter
  • Post Framer
  • Scaffolding Operator
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What do Construction Laborers do?

Construction laborers are essential workers in the building and construction industries, contributing to the physical work of constructing, renovating, and maintaining structures. Their tasks often involve a variety of duties, including loading and unloading materials, assisting skilled tradespeople, operating machinery, and performing basic construction tasks such as digging trenches, erecting scaffolding, and handling tools and equipment. These workers play a crucial role in ensuring that construction sites are safe and efficient, maintaining the workflow of construction projects from beginning to end. Construction laborers must be physically fit and capable of handling heavy materials, as the work often requires bending, lifting, and standing for extended periods. Laborers may also need to follow safety protocols and guidelines, as construction sites can be hazardous. Opportunities for on-the-job training are common, allowing individuals to gain experience and possibly advance to specialized roles within the construction industry.

What the work actually is

  • Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
  • Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
  • Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
  • Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
  • Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Abilities

  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Static Strength The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Knowledge

  • Building and Construction Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Less than high school diploma

A normal week

  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Getting Information
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Electronic mail software Microsoft Outlook
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software
  • Operating system software Microsoft Windows
  • Word processing software Microsoft Word

Tools

  • Power saws Circular saws · Hydraulic track-guided wall saws · Reciprocating saws
  • Manlift or personnel lift Bosun chairs · Manlifts · Swing chairs
  • Levels Carpenters' levels · Laser levels · Spirit levels
  • Water trucks Jet trucks for cleaning sewer lines · Water spraying equipment · Water tank trucks
  • Vacuum cleaners Ride-on vacuum cleaners · Sidewalk sweepers · Suction sweepers

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Construction Laborers earn in South Africa?

Construction Laborers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Construction Laborers do?

Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt, Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools and Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.