Leading Hand Jobs

How to Enter

To secure a job as a Leading Hand on a Civil Construction site, New Zealand employers will expect you to be a qualified Tradesperson with a relevant diploma, such as a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering. You can further improve your employability by specialising in Civil Engineering and having previous experience working on site and managing others.

Typical Responsibilities

The typical job responsibilities of a Leading Hand can include the following:

Supervising and training Labourers
Supervising contractors and sub-contractors
Overseeing the operation of plant vehicles and construction materials
Deciding work schedules and setting priority
Monitoring Health & Safety, quality assurance and environmental plans

Progression

Successful Lead Hands can often find themselves in line for senior Supervisory or management positions. Alternatively, they can also train and obtain a Bachelor degree to become a fully qualified Engineer, Quantity Surveyor or Planner.