Cert III in Civil Construction Plant Operations: What’s Involved?

plant ops cert 3

Why You Should Learn Civil Plant Operations?

RII30820 – Cert III in Civil Construction Plant Operations is an ideal qualification for those looking to become a qualified civil construction plant operator. This certificate provides the foundation knowledge and practical skills necessary to safely operate civil construction plant equipment, identify potential hazards and manage the associated risks.

Overview of the Course

Participants will gain the knowledge they need to competently operate common civil construction plant equipment including cranes, excavators, dozers and graders. In addition to hands-on training, the program includes comprehensive modules on relevant topics such as Workplace health and safety, Risk management and Operational maintenance.

This program is designed to provide the student with an extensive understanding of both the basic and complex operations of civil construction plant equipment. Throughout, participants will gain the skills to independently operate machinery, assess delivery specifications and perform relevant maintenance. Upon completion, trainees will have a detailed understanding of how to execute all aspects of operating civil construction plant for a range of worksites.

Skill Sets Needed to Successfully Complete the Course

To successfully complete the course, students must possess strong technical skills, teamwork abilities and problem-solving capabilities. As part of the program, individuals will learn knowledge such as planning and preparing worksites, carrying out operational checks on equipment and materials, monitoring construction operations and meeting environmental regulations. These skills will be put to practice in classroom and onsite scenarios that simulate real civil construction plant operations.

Government regulations, site operations techniques, safe operating practices and the importance of WHS are key components of the RII30820 course. You will also need to be able to interpret documentation related to civil construction plant operations, conduct relevant calculations and analyse different scenarios. Finally, the ability to work in a team environment is essential for success in this program. Teamwork skills include communication and collaboration with peers onsite as well as management of personnel and workforce within the worksite.

Course Entry Recommendations

  • An interest in working outdoors and be involved with big machinery
  • Relevant employment or access to appropriate workplace environments to prove your skills
  • Intermediate level fitness to manage the physical demands of the role
    Good organisational skills and the ability to multitask and respond well to rapid change
  • Experience in handling tools and equipment

Core Units and Electives

There are 15 core units in the RII30820 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations course. These units will enable you to have a basic understanding of technical operations and gain workplace skills. In addition, you can also choose 5 electives from a range of courses such as management of plant operations and traffic control. By taking up elective units, you can build on your expertise and develop more specialised abilities that are relevant to your chosen career path.

The core units include WHS, Traffic Management, Identification of Civil Construction Materials and Plant Operation. Throughout the course, you will gain skills in operating a range of plant equipment used in civil construction works including road construction operations and earthworks. With electives such as Chain Saws and Brush cutters Operations, Reinforced Concrete Placement and Soil Compaction just to name a few, you can tailor the course to your professional needs. RII30820 – Cert III in Civil Construction Plant Operations is designed to be flexible so that you can acquire the knowledge and skills that are most relevant for your career objectives.

Job Prospects in Civil Construction

The RII30820 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations is a nationally-accredited qualification which employers have recognised as an industry standard for civil construction plant operators. With the skills obtained from this course, you will have the ability to work on various major construction sites alongside experienced workers and supervisors. This can open up numerous job opportunities from mining and road construction to rail infrastructure projects.

With the Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations, you will have the ability to perform a range of plant operations safely and efficiently. This includes acquiring skills such as operating graders and other earth-moving machinery, how to inspect and maintain equipment, control traffic with a stop/slow bat and follow workplace health and safety regulations for safe work practices. Additionally, the course also covers specialised topics such as personnel transport from excavations, stable slopes and embankment stability, temporary works coordination and interpretation of drawings related to construction activities. Once you have been awarded this qualification, employers are likely to consider you for various civil construction jobs due to your competence in plant operation practices.

Graduates go onto roles such as:

Earthmoving Plant Operators operate plant to excavate earth, ore and rock, break up pavement, road, rock and obstructions, move and load earth, rock and debris, and level, smooth and compact surfaces in construction and other projects.
Other jobs include: Civil construction worker, Excavator operator, Front-end loader operator, Mobile plant operator, Grader operator, Skid steer operator and Haul truck operator

Civil Construction Statistics (Source ABS)

  • FULL-TIME SHARE (FULL-TIME WORKERS USUALLY WORK 35 HOURS OR MORE A WEEK (IN ALL THEIR JOBS COMBINED) – 93%
  • EMPLOYMENT SIZE EMPLOYMENT SIZE IS THE NUMBER OF WORKERS WHO DO THIS AS THEIR MAIN JOB – 14,300 workers
  • AVERAGE AGE THIS IS THE AVERAGE AGE OF ALL WORKERS IN THIS JOB – 44 years
  • WEEKLY PAY MEDIAN EARNINGS ARE SHOWN FOR FULL-TIME, NON-MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES PAID AT THE ADULT RATE, BEFORE TAX OR ANY AMOUNTS THAT ARE SALARY SACRIFICED. THESE FIGURES ARE A GUIDE TO EARNINGS ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO DETERMINE A WAGE RATE – $1,350
  • AVERAGE FULL-TIME THE AVERAGE FULL-TIME HOURS THAT PEOPLE IN THIS ROLE WORK EACH WEEK – 47 hours
  • SKILL LEVEL RATING SKILL LEVEL RATINGS ARE BASED ON THE RANGE AND COMPLEXITY OF JOB ROLES. IN GENERAL, THE HIGHER THE SKILL LEVEL, THE MORE FORMAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING, PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING NEEDED TO BE GOOD AT THE JOB – Lower
  • GENDER SHARE – 1% female
  • FUTURE GROWTH THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, SKILLS, SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESS ESTIMATES THE LIKELY CHANGE IN NUMBER OF WORKERS IN THIS ROLE, OR INDUSTRY, OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS. FUTURE GROWTH IS THE LIKELY PERCENTAGE CHANGE COMPARED TO ALL OTHER JOB ROLES – Strong Growth

Financial Aid Options

There are a variety of financial aid options available to those who are looking to further their careers with additional qualifications in Civil Construction Plant Operations. Depending on your job status, you may be eligible for government funding and subsidies that can help cover course fees and related costs. Additionally, some training organisations also offer flexible payment options to those who meet certain criteria. If you would like to find out more information, speak to a consultant at AOTA to learn more about your options.

For those who have existing qualifications within the Civil Construction Plant Operations space, upgrading your skills and knowledge can help you advance your career. An RII30820 – Cert III in Civil Construction Plant Operations qualification is a great way to open yourself up to more job opportunities in the sector. Depending on where you live and what type of job you are looking for, some employers are now offering financial assistance towards completing such courses. Additionally, there may be government funding available that could cover some or all of the course fees. Be sure to consult with a trusted training provider to find out what assistance is available to you.

That being said, the fact remains that more and more operators of civil construction plant equipment will in all likelihood be required to hold RII30820 – Cert III in Civil Construction Plant Operations, or one of many similar qualifications. In light of this, it may be in an operator’s best interest to consider pursuing such a qualification if they intend on remaining relevant within their field or industry. It’s also important to note that outside of being a requirement, the skills gained in this qualification can prove immensely valuable and beneficial.

For more course information go to our Cert III in Civil Construction Plant Operations page.

Dedicated To Your Career Success

Nigel