The construction industry is filled with job opportunities and growth, for a range of careers and roles. With an expected growth of 2.4% and 1,263,900 construction jobs in Australia by 2025, becoming a contract administrator or project coordinator will set you up to be in two of the most highly sought-after construction jobs now, and in the coming years.
If you’ve worked on a construction site before, you’ve probably come across both a contract administrator and a project coordinator. Both these jobs follow different career paths, but both offer long-term success for those ready to ‘get off the tools’ while remaining in construction.
*https://nationalindustryinsights.aisc.net.au/industries/construction
A contract administrator oversees the planning, negotiation, and delivery of contracts on construction projects. They are responsible for ensuring that contracts are properly drafted and executed by both parties.
Contract administrators also negotiate contracts with project managers and stakeholders, ensure the obligations within it have been met, and often oversee the delivery of goods and services relating to the contract.
Contract administrators can travel too – if they are working with subcontractors they may travel out to each site to negotiate, oversee worksites to ensure they are meeting contract obligations, and work with a team right up until project completion.
There are a handful of interpersonal, professional, and ‘hands-on’ skills that are required to be a contract administrator. Some of these will come from your own experience, and many can be learned through a formal contract admin qualification.
The top skills required for a successful career in contract administration are:
If contract administration sounds like the right pathway for you, there are options available to ensure you set yourself up for success. Contract administrators need a good understanding of how construction sites work, which is why many of them already work in construction.
Along with construction experience, a formal qualification such as CAL’s Certificate IV in Building Project Support (Contract Administrator) (CPC40320) will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in this career path.
In this contract admin certificate you will learn how to:
This course is completely online and self-paced, making it perfect for those already working – giving you the opportunity to work and gain further experience while you study.
With both experience and a formal qualification, a contract administrator can expect to have a salary of $120,000 a year. This role is also projected to grow by 8.8% over the next 5 years, making it a ‘safe’ long-term option.
As a project coordinator, you will coordinate the work of various tradespeople on a building project. You will also communicate with them and keep them informed of progress.
A project coordinator must keep records of everything that happens during the project. This includes who did what, when, how much was spent, and any other details that track and pertain to the project.
Communication between the project coordinator, teams, and stakeholders is essential to ensure that everyone knows what needs to happen next. If there are any issues, they need to be resolved as soon as possible so that the project can continue smoothly.
Many skills make up a great project coordinator that are picked up from experience in the construction industry and from a formal qualification.
The top skills required for a successful career as a project coordinator are:
Soft skills such as great communication and interpersonal skills are vital for project coordinators, as liaising with team members and stakeholders is a significant part of this job. Communicating effectively to get a project completed to standard and on time are skills within leaders that will allow them to manage well and succeed in project management.
If project coordination is the right choice for you, you can take the steps now to set yourself up for a rewarding career. Most construction project coordinators already work in the construction industry, as they need a good amount of knowledge on how construction sites work and need to be managed.
Along with experience, CAL’s Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920) will afford you the right skills to see you become a successful project coordinator in the construction industry.
Through the project coordinator certificate, you will learn how to:
CAL’s qualifications are completely online and self-paced, allowing you to work and maintain your job and on-site experience whilst also gaining your qualification.
With this qualification and relevant industry experience, project coordinators in construction can earn a salary of $85,000 a year. The job growth for this role is at an expected 8.8% over the next 5 years. This makes it a great option for those wanting to find a long-term career.
There are many pathways to ‘off the tools’ jobs in the construction industry that still allow you to work closely to the action. These two career paths are strong choices for those looking for a change while remaining in a growing industry.
The construction industry is a strong industry – in that it will always be growing and withstanding economic stresses. In Australia, it generates over $360 billion in revenue, accounting for 9% of our Gross Domestic Product*. This makes it a secure career choice for those looking for long-term options.
*https://nationalindustryinsights.aisc.net.au/industries/construction
CAL offers pathways into both these construction career options, with the Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920) and Certificate IV in Building Project Support (Contract Administrator) (CPC40320). Both will give you the fundamental skills for a thriving career.
Enquire now to learn more about the right construction course for you.
