Jimmi Nolan According to the Queensland Major Projects Pipeline 2024, there’s more than $103.9 billion worth of projects planned through to 2029. That’s up 13% from the year before. Labour demand is set to more than double from 16,600 workers in 2024/25 to 38,500 by 2026/27 — and stay above 30,000 well into the decade.
For anyone thinking about getting into plant operations, or upskilling to add extra tickets, the opportunity is here.
Plant operators are the backbone of civil construction. Day-to-day work includes:
Whether it’s a road duplication, a wind farm, or a new residential subdivision, these machines are essential to getting the job done.
There are two main ways to get into plant operation in Queensland:
Fast, practical training that gets you competent and licenced on specific machines such as:
👉 The short-course approach means you can build your ticket portfolio step by step, without the time commitment of a full qualification.
AI and automation are changing plenty of industries, and construction is no exception. Autonomous dozers and GPS-controlled graders are already being trialled on major infrastructure and mining projects. But for most work sites, human operators are still essential.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia’s Our Gen AI Transition (2025), automation potential is lowest in hands-on, unpredictable, and safety-critical environments, exactly where civil plant operators work.
Rather than replacing jobs, new tech is reshaping them. Excavators, loaders, rollers, skid steers, haul trucks and telehandlers now use GPS guidance, dig-assist systems, telematics and VR training tools to boost safety and precision. But these tools still rely on skilled operators to interpret the ground, communicate with the crew, and make on-the-spot decisions.
👉 In short: the future of plant operating isn’t driverless; it’s tech-enabled. Those who train now are learning the skills to work confidently alongside new technology, not be replaced by it.
At On the Job Training, we deliver nationally recognised plant tickets every week from our Stapylton training yard; right in the heart of SEQ where Brisbane meets the Gold Coast.
Our courses cover:
With CSQ funding available for eligible students, many can complete their training at no out-of-pocket cost. Whether you’re looking for a single machine ticket, a combo package, or to add versatility to your crane/dogging/rigging background, we’ve got a course that fits.
With billions in civil projects locked in, a looming skills shortage, and strong wages, there’s never been a better time to be competent in earthmoving.
📞 Ready to get started? Contact us today to lock in your spot on our next course and step into one of Queensland’s most in-demand and future-proof careers.
Matt Nolan went from delivery dog to dogman to top dog. After ten years operating mobile and tower cranes on major Gold Coast sites, Matt and his wife Emma built On the Job Training from their back deck in 2015, raising the bar for high risk work licence training across Queensland.
Now an award winning provider, OTJT is known for expert trainers, bespoke learning solutions and VR crane training. With eight cranes, eight earthmovers, two dogs named Kato and Roughie, and a gan tree, Matt proudly admits to being a functioning liftaholic. Luckily, Emma still loves him. Most of the time.
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