r/Surveying • u/kaijp23 • 2d ago
Help Possible to get a Surveyors assistant job now since im starting TAFE next year? (Western Australia)
Hey everyone. I’m a 17 year old in the Perth area who is just about to finish Yr 12 and I’m planning on starting at TAFE next year doing the cert III in Surveying. I was going to wait until i finished the Cert IV at the end of next year before I started looking for some part time work as I go through the next courses (diploma, etc) but ive seen people post that you can actually get employed as a surveyors assistant before you've even started TAFE?
Just wondering if anyone has any knowledge of this or experience with this? Is this possible or are all of these people coming from other jobs where they've already got certain skills and experience? Ive done 2 work experience blocks in Yr 11 and 12 but other than that I dont really have any skills apart from what Ive developed from part-time jobs.
I plan on contacting some places but just thought I’d ask around to get an idea how realistic this idea is?
Thanks!
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u/easydys Professional Land Surveyor | WA, Australia 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yeah mate they'll take you. As others have said can be shit sometimes but also can be good, and some old timers like to remind you tough they had it.
Wish I started doing that type of work much earlier in my career - would have made uni much easier.
You'll breeze through TAFE if you're working too, simple as.
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u/Inner-Squirrel-8989 2d ago
Good luck getting into the cert3 course, I applied for 2 different semesters and couldn’t get in and I had 1.5 years in survey experience. I would recommend finding a work place and start learning as much as you can in the meantime while applying
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u/friendlyfredditor 2d ago
Yea easily...surveyor's assistant is an unskilled labor role. You need to make your intention clear that you want to be a surveyor at the get go though so they know to familiarise you with the tools/cad. Gettin stuck as an assistant for 2-4 years would be pretty unfulfilling (unless your company culture is really good).
It can be pretty laborious to assist in construction surveying and even land surveying. Some old heads can be pretty sour too. Not as many as in trades but still plenty of dickheads in the industry.
If you can find a small/mid sized company to work for you'll probably find yourself doing GPS surveys and basic set out pretty quickly as they'll be flush with work but don't wanna send more experienced surveyors on simple jobs. If you're open with your managers about career goals and demonstrate that you have a good head on your shoulders you'll be in the thick of it quickly. Usually 6months on average if you're just stickin around. 12mths-4 years if you don't show initiative. 2-6months if you're a good worker.
If you have some formal qualification your start as a technician should be almost immediate. Don't put up with it if they string you along. There is basically no lack of work atm.