Key Facts:
- A White Card is mandatory for anyone working on or accessing construction sites, including casual labourers, apprentices, and delivery drivers
- White Card courses take about five hours to complete and cover essential safety knowledge, including hazard control, safety laws, PPE usage, and emergency procedures
- Summer holidays see an increase in young casual workers in construction, particularly before Christmas when there's pressure to complete projects
- Of 100,000 new construction industry entrants up to February, 40% were aged 15-24 years
- Young workers are statistically more prone to injury on construction sites due to inexperience and lack of awareness, making safety training crucial
School's almost out for summer, with construction companies and labour hire agencies preparing for a spike in young people seeking short-term employment or their first full- time role in the building industry.
From assisting on building sites to supporting trades, many teens and recent school leavers will pick up work in the sector over the weeks ahead, but industry leaders are reminding new workers and employers that a valid White Card is essential before stepping onto any construction site.
Samuel Bohr heads up training organisation National White Card Courses and explained a White Card is a mandatory requirement for anyone accessing or working on a construction site.
"Regardless of whether you're a casual labourer, apprentice, delivery driver, or even a farm worker in some instances, a White Card is a mandatory certification that demonstrates you have completed basic safety induction training," Mr Bohr said.
"Basically, anyone who routinely enters or accesses an operational construction zone for their job, needs a card."
Taking as little as five hours to complete, White Card courses cover essential safety knowledge, including identifying and controlling workplace hazards, understanding safety laws and regulations, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency response procedures.
Participants also learn about safe work practices, risk assessment, communication on site, and how to handle hazardous materials.
"And if you're a young person out there applying for casual work in the construction sector, it could just be the differentiator that gets you the job," Mr Bohr said.
The summer holidays often sees an influx of young casual workers in the construction industry, particular in jobs such as labouring.
And often they're helping cater to surge in demand particularly in the lead-up to Christmas.
"There's often a push to finish builds, renovations, and projects before Christmas begins," Mr Bohr said.
But with that Christmas rush and the pressure of deadlines, there also comes an increased need to focus on safety.
"Small safety mistakes can have major consequences on a job site," Mr Bohr said.
"Which is why it's critical that all staff, and especially young workers or casuals, are provided with that basic safety insight in order to get the job or as part of their workplace induction."
In the 12 months up to February this year, there were 100,000 new entrants into the construction industry, with around 40 per cent aged 15 to 24 years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
And statistically, these younger workers are more prone to injury, with the Housing Industry Association noting construction sites are among the prime hotspots where those risks multiply.
"That's partly due to inexperience and also lack of awareness," Mr Bohr said.
"So that makes it all the more important to equip young workers with safety skills before they set foot on site."
