35-year-old builder Matt Vickers always knew construction was the career for him, but he had to try out a few trades before he found the right fit. Now, with 13 years of experience under his (tool) belt, he tells us why building is the job for him.
Life in the fast lane as an automotive technician
“The first trade I got into was mechanics, and I qualified as an automotive technician,” says Matt. ‘I’ve always been practically skilled, so a trade was always going to be something I did.
"It was probably a matter of choosing which one.” Automotive mechanics might have been Matt’s first choice, but it wasn’t his final one. He decided life as a petrolhead wasn’t for him.
But becoming a builder was. “I jumped ship after that (getting qualified as an automotive technician).” Matt laughs. “I settled on building when I was about 20 and have loved it ever since. I’ve been building for 13 years now and qualified for five.”
What are the advantages of being a builder?
“I love working with my hands, and I like seeing the work that I’ve done. Building is a really visually rewarding job,” he says.
“You can spend 3 months in one place and go from having sand on the ground to a completed house. That’s one of the most rewarding things. The clients, too, are stoked when they see it done. That’s their life savings, and it’s so good.”
The variety of the work Matt does also keeps him interested.
The work we do in a day is really varied. We cut, measure timber, line internal walls, and clad roofing, and then get down to the finishes. It’s a massive amount of work that we cover.”
It might be the work that attracted him, but Matt can’t say enough good things about the people he works with, too.
“You meet a lot of great people in this industry,” he says. “A lot of like-minded people. It’s just a good experience all round.”
Who’s being a builder suited to?
Being a builder is suited to a personality type that enjoys working outside and is skilled at working with their hands.
An adventurous spirit could also be a plus point; Matt was keen to express just how many opportunities there are for those who want to work in construction, particularly those eager to get into building.
The world is your oyster - career opportunities
“You can go anywhere,” he exclaims. “Building is needed everywhere. Literally, every country needs builders. All of the skills that you learn are transferable in every country".
"Cut, measure, square, level, that’s all the same no matter which country you are in. So really the world is your oyster".
“I started building in Canada, which was good. Then I went to New Zealand, where I gained my qualification. Now I’ve come to Western Australia, Perth".
"I will say there might be other countries that I’ll explore later on. But it’s one step at a time I suppose.”
How CTF can help
If you’re interested in a job in construction that you’re as passionate about as Matt is about building, contact CTF to learn about ways into the industry.
There are a number of pathways and school-based traineeships available, as well as other routes and financial support available through CTF.
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