Civil Infrastructure

Training snapshot

There were approximately 42,500 program enrolments in Civil Infrastructure-related qualifications during 2021, increasing from around 35,370 in 2020. Program enrolments have steadily increased following a decline from approximately 40,800 in 2017 to around 31,020 in 2018. Program completions peaked at around 9,930 in 2018 before declining to just under 4,410 in 2020, with an increase to approximately 5,440 completions in 2021.

During 2021, the majority of enrolments (89%) were in certificate III level qualifications. Civil Construction Operations accounted for roughly 55% of the total enrolments, followed by Civil Construction with 38%. The main intended occupation for qualifications in this sector was Earthmoving Plant Operator (General).

Private training providers delivered the majority of training in Civil Infrastructure-related qualifications in 2021 (92%), with TAFE institutes delivering a further 8%. Approximately 69% of all subjects were Commonwealth and state funded and around 29% were Domestic Fee for Service.

Students who enrolled in 2021 were mainly residing in Queensland (40%), New South Wales (22%) and Victoria (19%). The majority of training was delivered in Queensland (42%), followed by New South Wales (22%) and Victoria (20%).

There were approximately 4,450 apprenticeship and traineeship commencements and 1,520 completions during 2021. Following a period of increase between 2012 and 2014, commencement numbers gradually decreased before increasing again between 2018 and 2021. Completion numbers have declined overall since peaking in 2015, with a slight increase between 2020 and 2021. Apprentices and trainees were mainly training towards the intended occupation of Earthmoving Plant Operator (General). Queensland reported 42% of apprenticeship and traineeship training, followed by New South Wales (22%) and Victoria (14%).

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Industry insights on skills needs

The Mining, Drilling and Civil Infrastructure IRC's 2019 Skills Forecast identifies the top priority skills for the Civil Infrastructure sector as:

• Digital literacy
• Workplace safety practices
• Communication skills
• Problem solving
• Environmental sustainability.

The top generic skills listed in the Mining, Drilling and Civil Infrastructure IRC's 2019 Skills Forecast in order of importance to the industry are:

• Language, literacy and numeracy
• Learning agility / Information literacy / Intellectual autonomy and self-management
• Technology
• Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
• Managerial / Leadership.

According to the job vacancy data, the top requested generic skills by employers were communication and planning skills. The most advertised occupations in the Civil Infrastructure sector were Electricians, followed by Other Miscellaneous Labourers. The top employers for workers in this industry were Ventia, and Thiess.

The Mining, Drilling and Civil Infrastructure IRC's 2019 Skills Forecast also identifies several key issues affecting skills and training needs within the Civil Infrastructure sector:

• A steady pipeline of large-scale projects, predominantly road and rail projects in the major cities, is predicted to maintain demand for qualified workers within the Civil Infrastructure sector. While the Skills Forecast identifies completion of the National Broadband Network (NBN) and uncertainty over energy policy may affect labour demand for utilities projects as key issues, NBN Co and the Australian Government announced funds for ongoing projects in these areas in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Digital literacy will become essential for learners to be successful in this sector as digital tools have become more widespread across operations. For example, building information modelling (BIM) provides a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of physical infrastructure, assisting delivery of projects at faster rates with lower costs and risk. Projects are also increasingly utilising prefabricated construction. Collaboration across the civil infrastructure and construction sectors may be necessary to avoid duplication when assessing the impact and skill needs of these technologies.
• Safety and risk management are continuing to evolve in the Mining, Drilling and Civil Infrastructure Industry. Safety is the number one priority of the industry, and although safety metrics are improving, workers in the Civil Infrastructure sector may need hazard risk management and workplace health and safety training that specifically addresses issues such as fatigue management, heat stress and working from heights.

The Case for Endorsement for Project 3A Civil Construction, discussed in the 2019 Skills Forecast, was approved at the 13 October 2020 AISC meeting. To address several issues identified by industry, the Case for Endorsement includes 10 updated qualifications, 8 new and 161 updated units of competency and 8 new skill sets. The changes to the training package are:

• Eleven qualifications to clarify and strengthen career progression pathways for workers in civil construction have been updated, encompassing entry-level civil construction workers through to senior civil works designers and civil construction managers.
• Eight new units of competency to address training product gaps relating to tunnel boring machine operations, temporary traffic management, and piling have been created. Industry stakeholders had identified skills gaps in temporary traffic management and piling operations, and the skills gap surrounding tunnel boring machine operations was identified due to technological progression.
• 161 units of competency used across civil construction and civil construction design have been updated to reflect current industry processes and requirements and clarify training outcomes.
• Eight skill sets to address gaps and strengthen career progression pathways for traffic controllers, traffic management implementers and traffic management designers working on high volume roads, motorways and freeways have been created.

For insights on the broader Resources and Infrastructure industry, please visit the Mining, Drilling and Civil Infrastructure cluster page.

Below is a list of industry-relevant research, organisations and associations. Hyperlinks have been included where available.

IRC and skills forecasts

Civil Infrastructure IRC

• Mining, Drilling and Civil Infrastructure IRC's 2019 Skills Forecast

• IRC membership

• PwC’s Skills for Australia – Skills Service Organisation

Relevant research

Case for Endorsement: Project 3A Civil Construction – PwC’s Skills for Australia (document can be found under Release heading)

Initial build complete, NBN Co announces next phase of network investment to meet future demand – NBN Co

2023 – 2026 Statement of Corporate Intent – NBN Co

Safety regulators

Access Canberra

NT WorkSafe

Safe Work Australia

SafeWork SA

SafeWork NSW

WorkSafe Queensland

WorkSafe Tasmania

WorkSafe Victoria

WorkSafe Western Australia

Industry associations and advisory bodies

For industry associations and advisory bodies specific to Coal Mining, Drilling, Extractive Industries and Metalliferous Mining sectors, please visit the respective pages.

Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT)

Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AFPA)

Australian Constructors Association (ACA)

Austroads

AustStab

Civil Contractors Federation (CCF)

Construction & Mining Equipment Industry Group (CMEIG)

Construction Skills QLD

Dial Before You Dig

Engineers Australia

Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA)

Roads Australia

Traffic Management Association of Australia (TMAA)

State training advisory bodies

Building, Construction, Resources and Infrastructure Training Advisory Body (BCRITAB) (NSW)

Construction Industry Training Board (SA)

Energy Skills Queensland (ESQ)

Industry Skills Advisory Council Northern Territory (ISAC NT)

Resources Industry Training Council (RITCWA)

Employee associations

Australian Workers' Union (AWU)

Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU)

Department of Employment 2021, Industry Employment Projections viewed 1 August 2021, Labour Market Information Portal

• by ANZSIC 3 digit industry, employment projections to May 2025
  
  • 310 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.

National Skills Commission 2022, Occupation Employment Projections viewed 10 August 2022, https://www.nationalskillscommission.gov.au/topics/employment-projections

• by ANZSCO, selected 4 digit occupations, employment projections to May 2026
  
  • 7212 Earthmoving Plant Operators
  • 8215 Paving and Surfacing Labourers
  • 8211 Building and Plumbing Labourers
  • 3121 Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians
  • 3223 Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers
  • 3232 Metal Fitters and Machinists.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022, 6291.0.55.001 - EQ06 - Employed persons by Industry group of main job (ANZSIC), Sex, State and Territory, November 1984 onwards, viewed 1 August 2022, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/labour-force-australia-detailed/may-2022

• Employed total by ANZSIC 3 digit '310 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction', 2002 to 2022, May Quarter.

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017, 2016 Census – employment, income and unpaid work, TableBuilder. Findings based on use of ABS TableBuilder data.

• Employment level by:
  
  • 310 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
  • 4 digit level occupations to identify the relevant VET-related occupations in the industry as a proportion of the total workforce.

Training data has been extracted from the National VET Provider Collection, Total VET Students and Courses from the following training package or qualifications:

RII Resources and Infrastructure Industry and BCC Civil Construction Industry Training Packages:

• Civil Construction
  
  • BCC20103 - Certificate II in Civil Construction
  • BCC20107 - Certificate II in Civil Construction
  • BCC20198 - Certificate II in Civil Construction
  • BCC30103 - Certificate III in Civil Construction
  • BCC30107 - Certificate III in Civil Construction
  • BCC30198 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant)
  • BCC30203 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Bituminous Surfacing)
  • BCC30207 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Bituminous Surfacing)
  • BCC30298 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Road Construction & Maintenance)
  • BCC30303 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Bridge Construction and Maintenance)
  • BCC30307 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Bridge Construction and Maintenance)
  • BCC30398 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Tunnel Construction)
  • BCC30403 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Foundation Work)
  • BCC30407 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Foundation Work)
  • BCC30498 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Bridge/Marine Construction)
  • BCC30503 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Pipe Laying)
  • BCC30507 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Pipe Laying)
  • BCC30598 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Foundation Work - Anchors/Piling)
  • RII20709 - Certificate II in Civil Construction
  • RII20712 - Certificate II in Civil Construction
  • RII20713 - Certificate II in Civil Construction
  • RII20715 - Certificate II in Civil Construction
  • RII20720 – Certificate II in Civil Construction
  • RII20809 - Certificate II in Bituminous Surfacing
  • RII20813 - Certificate II in Bituminous Surfacing
  • RII30909 - Certificate III in Civil Construction
  • RII30912 - Certificate III in Civil Construction
  • RII30913 - Certificate III in Civil Construction
  • RII30915 - Certificate III in Civil Construction
  • RII30919 – Certificate III in Civil Construction
  • RII30920 – Certificate III in Civil Construction
  • RII31009 - Certificate III in Bituminous Surfacing
  • RII31109 - Certificate III in Bridge Construction and Maintenance
  • RII31209 - Certificate III in Civil Foundations
  • RII31213 - Certificate III in Civil Foundations
  • RII31215 - Certificate III in Civil Foundations
  • RII31220 – Certificate III in Civil Foundations
  • RII31309 - Certificate III in Pipe Laying
  • RII31409 - Certificate III in Road Construction and Maintenance
  • RII60609 - Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction
  • RII60613 - Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction
  • RII60615 - Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction
• Civil Construction Design
  
  • RII40809 - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design
  • RII40813 - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design
  • RII40815 - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design
  • RII40820 – Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design
  • RII50509 - Diploma of Civil Construction Design
  • RII50513 - Diploma of Civil Construction Design
  • RII50515 - Diploma of Civil Construction Design
  • RII50520 – Diploma of Civil Construction Design
  • RII60509 - Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design
  • RII60513 - Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design
  • RII60515 - Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design
• Civil Construction Operations
  
  • BCC30603 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant Operations)
  • BCC30607 - Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant Operations)
  • RII30809 - Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
  • RII30813 - Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
  • RII30815 - Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
  • RII30820 – Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
  • RII40609 - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Operations
  • RII40613 - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Operations
  • RII40615 - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Operations
• Civil Construction Supervision
  
  • RII40709 - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
  • RII40712 - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
  • RII40713 - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
  • RII40715 - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
  • RII40720 – Certificate IV in Civil Construction
  • RII50409 - Diploma of Civil Construction Management
  • RII50413 - Diploma of Civil Construction Management
  • RII50415 - Diploma of Civil Construction Management
  • RII50420 – Diploma of Civil Construction Management.

This includes superseded qualifications and training packages.

Data covers a range of selected student and training characteristics in the following categories and years:

• 2017 to 2021 program enrolments
• 2017 to 2021 subject enrolments
• 2017 to 2021 program completions.

Total VET students and courses data is reported for the calendar year. Program enrolments are the qualifications, courses and skill–sets in which students are enrolled in a given period. For students enrolled in multiple programs, all programs are counted. Program completion indicates that a student has completed a structured and integrated program of education or training. Location data uses student residence. Subject enrolment is registration of a student at a training delivery location for the purpose of undertaking a module, unit of competency or subject. For more information on the terms and definitions please refer to the Total VET students and courses: terms and definitions document.

Low counts (less than 5) are not reported to protect client confidentiality.

RII Resources and Infrastructure Industry and BCC Civil Construction Industry Training Packages apprentice and trainee data has been extracted from the National Apprentice and Trainee Collection, including:

• 2012 to 2021 commencements
• 2012 to 2021 completions
• apprentices and trainees in–training October to December 2021 collection, by qualification and state and territory of data submitter.

Job vacancy data have been extracted from Lightcast 2022, Labor Insight Real-time Labor Market Information Tool, Boston, viewed August 2022, https://lightcast.io/apac.

Data shown represent most requested generic skills, occupations and employers according to internet job postings in Australia between July 2019 and June 2022 filtered by ANZSIC and ANZSCO classification levels listed below.

• Generic skills / Occupations
  
  • Labourers, Machinery Operators and Drivers, Technicians and Trades Workers
  • 31 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.
• Employers
  
  • 3121 Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians
  • 3129 Other Building and Engineering Technicians
  • 8999 Other Miscellaneous Labourers
  • 8112 Commercial Cleaners
  • 3411 Electricians
  • 31 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction.