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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for General Construction Labourer

💰 $30,000 - $55,000

ConstructionLaborSkilled Trades

🎯 Role Definition

A General Construction Labourer performs physical tasks on residential, commercial, and civil construction sites to support skilled trades, maintain a safe and productive work area, and assist with material handling, demolition, site preparation, and basic finishing work. This role requires strong attention to safety (OSHA-compliant practices), the ability to follow instructions and blueprints, physical stamina for extended lifting and manual labor, and familiarity with common hand and power tools. Ideal candidates are reliable, punctual, team-oriented, and eager to progress into specialized trades or supervisory roles.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • High school graduate or GED with physical labor experience (landscaping, warehouse, or factory).
  • Temporary staffing / day labor work in construction.
  • Vocational or trade school graduate (entry-level construction programs).

Advancement To:

  • Crew Lead or Foreman overseeing small teams and scheduling onsite tasks.
  • Skilled Tradesperson (Carpenter, Mason, Electrician, Plumber) through apprenticeship.
  • Heavy Equipment Operator or Site Safety Coordinator with certifications.

Lateral Moves:

  • Equipment Operator (skid-steer, forklift) with training.
  • Demolition Technician or Restoration Technician.

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Safely perform physically demanding tasks including lifting, carrying, loading and unloading construction materials and equipment, ensuring materials are staged and secured according to project plans and safety standards.
  • Prepare job sites for construction by clearing debris, setting up barricades and temporary fencing, installing erosion and sediment controls, and maintaining clean, organized work areas to reduce hazards and improve workflow efficiency.
  • Assist carpenters, masons, concrete crews, and other trades by measuring, cutting, shaping, and assembling materials, holding or bracing structures, and delivering tools and supplies as required for sequential trade work.
  • Mix, pour, screed, and finish concrete for foundations, sidewalks, and slabs, and assist with forming, placing reinforcement, and curing processes while following specifications for grades and slopes.
  • Use common hand and power tools—such as hammers, saws, drills, jackhammers, nail guns, grinders, and compactors—according to manufacturer instructions and site safety protocols to complete assigned tasks accurately and efficiently.
  • Perform demolition tasks including controlled dismantling, removal of fixtures, breaking concrete or masonry, and separating recyclable and waste materials while following hazard mitigation and disposal procedures.
  • Operate light construction equipment (e.g., pallet jacks, forklifts, mini-excavators, skid-steer loaders) when certified, including pre-operation inspections and basic maintenance checks to maintain equipment readiness.
  • Excavate, backfill, and compact soil for trenches and foundations; assist with shoring and trench safety measures by signaling operators and supporting temporary shoring installations under supervision.
  • Install, maintain, and dismantle temporary structures such as scaffolding, bracing, formwork, chutes, and shoring systems while adhering to manufacturer instructions and fall protection standards.
  • Load and secure materials and equipment on trucks and trailers for transport to and from job sites, applying proper rigging, slinging, and load-balancing techniques to prevent damage and injury.
  • Follow blueprints, site drawings, and verbal instructions from supervisors to perform layout, measurement, and basic layout tasks such as marking lines, stakes, and grade elevations for foundation and utility work.
  • Perform general site maintenance including sweeping, pressure washing, trash removal, recycling separation, and seasonal cleanup to ensure compliance with environmental and municipal regulations and to maintain a professional site appearance.
  • Install and remove temporary erosion controls, silt fences, and stormwater management devices, monitor their condition, and report any necessary repairs to the site supervisor.
  • Perform basic material inventory and reporting by tracking consumables (nails, fasteners, concrete additives), reporting shortages, and assisting with on-site deliveries and unloading checks.
  • Assist with installation of utilities and underground systems by handing tools, holding pipe, assisting with bedding and backfill, and ensuring proper alignment and slope as directed by utility crews.
  • Implement and enforce job-site safety protocols by using personal protective equipment (PPE), participating in toolbox talks, reporting hazards immediately, and assisting with incident prevention measures.
  • Measure, cut, and handle lumber, metal, and other building materials using hand saws, circular saws, and saw horses while following accurate measurement practices to minimize material waste.
  • Perform cleanup and salvage during and after construction activities—separating reusable material, labeling items for return to inventory, and preparing waste for off-site disposal or recycling providers.
  • Assist with roofing support tasks including moving roofing materials, setting up fall arrest anchor points, and providing hands-on support to roofers during tear-off and re-roof activities while following fall protection guidelines.
  • Implement traffic control measures where required, including flagging, setting cones, and placing signage to protect workers and the public when working near roadways, in compliance with local flagging standards.
  • Participate in quality control by inspecting finished work areas for alignment, proper fastening, and cleanliness, documenting discrepancies, and communicating issues promptly to supervisors for corrective action.
  • Support emergency response and weather mitigation tasks such as tarping, water removal, temporary shoring, and rapid clean-up after severe weather or site incidents to minimize project delays.
  • Assist with layout verification and dimensional checks for installed components, reporting measurements to supervisors and making minor adjustments under guidance to ensure installations meet plan specifications.
  • Maintain personal and tool inventory, securing company-issued tools and reporting missing or damaged equipment to minimize downtime and replace as necessary.

Secondary Functions

  • Attend daily safety briefings and contribute observations about site hazards or potential process improvements to the foreman.
  • Help document daily progress, labor hours, and material usage for foremen and project managers to support accurate job costing.
  • Participate in cross-training activities to support multiple trades and increase site flexibility as project demands change.
  • Coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers on site logistics such as staging areas, delivery windows, and temporary storage needs.
  • Provide basic customer-facing support when interacting with property owners or facility managers, maintaining a professional and courteous presence on site.
  • Assist with basic site layout software input or paper plan markups to record as-built conditions and minor dimensional changes.
  • Participate in on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs to develop trade-specific skills and certifications.
  • Support sustainability initiatives by segregating waste streams, minimizing material waste, and following established recycling practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Competent use of hand tools and power tools (hammers, chisels, saws, drills, grinders, nail guns, jackhammers) with documented safe practices.
  • Concrete handling and finishing skills including mixing, pouring, screeding, troweling, and knowledge of curing procedures.
  • Basic blueprint and site plan reading for elevations, grades, and simple layouts; ability to translate plans into field markings.
  • Material handling, loading, rigging, and basic slinging techniques for safe lifting and transport of heavy items.
  • Familiarity with demolition techniques including selective removal, salvage, and waste segregation.
  • Basic heavy equipment operation (skid steer, compact excavator, forklift) with certifications where required or willingness to obtain them.
  • Knowledge of trenching, shoring assistance, and excavation safety protocols; ability to follow shoring plans and flag hazards.
  • Temporary structure assembly (scaffolding, formwork, bracing) and basic fall protection practices including harness use and anchor points.
  • Traffic control and flagging skills for lane closures and sidewalk/work zone protection (when assigned).
  • OSHA 10 (or OSHA 30 preferred) construction safety certification and working knowledge of PPE requirements.
  • Basic first aid/CPR and ability to respond to minor onsite incidents until medical help arrives.
  • Familiarity with site cleanup standards, erosion control, and environmental compliance practices.

Soft Skills

  • Strong commitment to safety with a proactive mindset for hazard recognition and mitigation.
  • Dependable attendance, punctuality, and professional appearance to support project schedules and client confidence.
  • Clear communication skills to take and follow instructions, report issues, and coordinate with teammates and supervisors.
  • Team player mentality and willingness to support skilled trades and coworkers through shared workload.
  • Physical stamina, dexterity, and the ability to perform repetitive lifting, bending, and standing for long durations.
  • Flexibility and adaptability to changing site conditions, schedules, and task priorities.
  • Problem-solving orientation to propose practical, immediate fixes for on-site challenges.
  • Attention to detail for accurate layout, measurement, and finishing work that contributes to quality control.
  • Time management skills to help meet daily milestones and assist with keeping projects on schedule.
  • Positive attitude and coachability—willingness to learn new tools, techniques, and safety practices.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED preferred; equivalent work experience in construction, landscaping, or warehouse settings accepted.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational certificate or trade school coursework in construction technology, carpentry, masonry, or heavy equipment operation.
  • Relevant safety certifications such as OSHA 10 or OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Construction Technology
  • Carpentry / Building Trades
  • Civil Construction / Heavy Equipment Operation
  • Masonry / Concrete Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years (entry-level) to 1–5 years (preferred for mid-level responsibilities)

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of construction site experience handling tools, materials, and supporting skilled trades.
  • Certifications or practical experience operating light equipment (forklift, skid-steer) and documented safety training.
  • Demonstrated experience with concrete work, demolition, and temporary structure assembly is highly desirable.
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