Becoming a Pipe Layer can be a rewarding career path if you enjoy working with your hands and performing a critical role in the community.

Piping is a crucial part of infrastructure because it brings fresh water to homes and businesses, takes away wastewater, directs heat, and redirects stormwater.

Laying pipes correctly requires specific training and skills to avoid leaks or structural failures.

What will I be doing? 

• Plan materials needed, digging requirements and piping specifications
• Creating gradients or drilling holes in certain pipes so water can drain
• Install piping
• Filling in trenches
• Direct water toward the pipes
• Following blueprints
• Coordinate between the supervisors, pipelayers, pipefitters, and equipment operators
• Measuring, inspecting, and laying pipe inspect the pipe for any defects
• Operating heavy machinery
• Monitor safety and compliance regulations
• Some trenches or holes require excavators or other heavy machinery prepare the ground for piping, planning out the drainage needs and accounting for gas lines, electric lines and structural needs.

Transferable skills used on the job:

• 42% Construction
• 19% Production processes and machinery
• 18% work activities
• 11% cleaning
• 10% Science and mathematics

Skill Level Needed (out of 10)

• Digital engagement 2 Basic
• Numeracy 3 Basic
• Initiative & innovation 6 Intermediate
• Learning 4 Intermediate
• Oral communication 5 Intermediate
• Planning and organizing  5 Intermediate
• Problem solving  5 Intermediate
• Reading  5 Intermediate
• Teamwork  5 Intermediate
• Writing  4 Intermediate

How to become a Human resources officer:

You can start out as an entry level Apprentice employee in civil construction, combined with study, do a diploma at TAFE, or a university degree in civil engineering with project leadership.

There are many great pathways into this career and the sky is the limit.

Required Level of Training

Tas TAFE: https://www.tastafe.tas.edu.au

Certificate II Resources and infrastructure work preparation RII20120

Certificate III Plant operations RII30820

Certificate III Civil construction RII30920

Cert II courses are credit towards Cert III

Full Apprenticeships are available.

Get started with the CCF Tasmania pre-employment course.

Further training and professional development is available through Registered Training Organisations, with funding via Keystone Tasmania.

What to find out more? 

Contact us if you would like to find out more about working in Civil Construction, Pipe Layer.

View Pipe Layer Fact Sheet (PDF)