General Builder from the UK....with a slight concern

[The Kings]

Hi All,
My wife and I are leaving the UK for Perth mid/ late March and will both be looking for employment as soon as we arrive. In the UK I have run my own small construction business for approx 9 years (employing 5 full-time staff) working on extensions/renovations predominately in the domestic sector.
I just wondered what demand there is in Perth and southern suburbs for a brickie/ multi-trade builder? I'm 34 and although I have lived in the UK for the majority of my life I am fortunate enough to hold an Australian passport so am not looking for sponsorship etc.
The impression I get from speaking to people and reading articles, qualifications are a MUST in Oz, whereas in the UK all you need is a van and some tools and that's it....you're a builder!!!!
I spent 2 years full time at college learning general building and bricklaying, but foolishly just a couple of months before graduating I left without gaining any qualifications in pursuit of ££££'s after receiving a job offer.
This has not held me back one bit in the UK and have built a successful and reputable business with an extensive portfolio of work but have concerns that without any papers to my name it may hinder my employment opportunities in Oz.
Any thoughts or comments would be gratefully received.

Dale

[Catnoehughes]

Hi Dale,
There seems to be plenty of domestic building work around Perth alright but not sure what the requirements are for qualifications? I know it's pretty standard for the larger construction companies but not sure if the smaller domestic builders look for them or require them by law?
Maybe give some of the domestic builders a ring to see if they need anything?
Reading back over what I wrote, I can see it not much help to you ...

Cat

[gobi1000]

Hi Dale,
you could try looking in the oz yellow pages and find some with email adds and just enquire. You never know they might not require them. I did this and im in the print industry and when I did my reccie in sept 11 i visited them and did a tour of the factory.

Mark

[Give me a break!]

We are having a house built at the moment and there was a delay getting the drive layed because there was no one available, my OH went to look at the house on the way to work and the guy was there really early and said there was sooo much work he couldnt keep up with it. Im not sure about the other trades, but I have to say, that there is sooooo much building work going on here at the moment. New hospitals and shops and tonnes of housing. Our builders are all part of BGC which are the biggest building company in WA. Might be worth contacting them? Good luck

[themanns]

Hi Dale,
My family and I have just received our permanent visas and looking to go out to perth in August(possibly Quinns rocks?) and look for building work. Im 32 and have had my own relatively small company going for 12 years now doing domestic groundworks i.e driveways, patios, foundations, etc so was hoping to work for someone doing the same thing as ive got the right tools. You are right about the tools and van. I did work on site for a large construction company when work was quiet (which it always seems to be) and had to pass an NVQ level 2 in constructiion operatives to work on that particular site. Not sure if that will help in Oz though.
I heard from a couple of people on the forum say that work was 'slow' in perth and say you have to try and work for the larger civil engineering companies ?? Not sure if this is right reading the more positive posts above. I have done my white card which is the health and safety test that allows you to work on the large construction sites if you need to which you can do online.
The thing is any new employer will be able to tell if you can do the job or not...experience is the main key I think. All the best with the big move hope it all works out for you.

Carl

[wayne&wanda]

Hi Carl,
My husband has recently done his white card over here in Uk (were heading to Perth in August aswell). wondering if you had it posted to your UK address, if so how long did it take ??

Hi Dale,
My family and I have just received our permanent visas and looking to go out to perth in August(possibly Quinns rocks?) and look for building work. Im 32 and have had my own relatively small company going for 12 years now doing domestic groundworks i.e driveways, patios, foundations, etc so was hoping to work for someone doing the same thing as ive got the right tools. You are right about the tools and van. I did work on site for a large construction company when work was quiet (which it always seems to be) and had to pass an NVQ level 2 in constructiion operatives to work on that particular site. Not sure if that will help in Oz though.
I heard from a couple of people on the forum say that work was 'slow' in perth and say you have to try and work for the larger civil engineering companies ?? Not sure if this is right reading the more positive posts above. I have done my white card which is the health and safety test that allows you to work on the large construction sites if you need to which you can do online.
The thing is any new employer will be able to tell if you can do the job or not...experience is the main key I think. All the best with the big move hope it all works out for you.

Carl

[themanns]

Hi Wayne&wanda,
Only took it last week so not sure when it will arrive at our UK address

[jeff100jeff]

hi a am sort of in the same boat i run a small building firm over here ,i am 45 but luckey for me i did gain my c&g papers years ago as a plasterer,i want to go over this year but dont want to do plastering full time every day of the year ,how do you think you will find work to start up?

[simmo]

hi dale /builders , carpenters heading to perth

i run a business here in uk , kitchen supply and fitting, but i am a carpenter of 23 years too.
i have nvqs in carpentry and kitchen fitting, to be honest they are not worth the paper they are written on.

i did carpentry in uk for 19 years before i had to do the nvq to go to oz
the guy came out once a fortnight on site and watched me do a bit of work, and asked me to take pictures of work i did.
i could have taken pictures of the golden gate bridge and said id made it for all he cared.

same with the vetasses test, (build a hip roof on bench)
i have never done roofing in all my years.
i got a local roofer to show me what to do the week before the test, did it and now im a carpenter.

im looking for a partner when i get there , someone who can do roofing to oz standards, i think that a pair of roofers would never be out of work there, plus its easier in a pair especially if on price work!
or i may even set up my own roofing and building company, but again want to pair up with someone for the work im not too sure on.
if anyone is interested let me know my website is ashdalekitchenservices in uk on google

[The Kings]

Hi All,
Firstly I just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone that replied to my original thread......some really helpful hints there of which I'm sure I'll use.
I was thinking of just rocking up in Perth and get in front of a few perspective employers and hope that my knowledge, experience, enthusiasm (and possibly a little charm) would land me a job, but now I'm thinking that there is nothing to loose and everything to gain by sending out my CV before I get out there.
With regards to the White Card time scale I'm not much help I'm afraid.....I've paid for it but am awaiting info back regarding taking the actual test.

Thanks again peeps!!