List and description of careers in Malawi and abroad.

They are simply known as masons. They use bricks, concrete blocks and natural and man-made stones to build fences, walls, and other structures. The work is physically demanding and work outdoors in poor weather conditions at times. Most work is full time. The job can be learned at technical schools for instance at TEVETA college in Malawi. Cement masons pour concrete and maintain the floor of buildings with cement or terrazzo.

He is a trained craftsman who produces steel fabrications from plates and sections. They use gas torch sets to cut or gauge steel plates and tubes and some gas to attach and mend the cut sections of tubes and steel plates. Attending a trade or technical school, combined with employer-provided training accelerate the learning curve of this job.

It is a skilled trade in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during construction. Apart from learning it at technical school, work training is also important through apprenticeship.

They lay floor coverings in homes, offices, hospitals, stores and many other types of buildings. Before installing, they determine the surface, measure the area and plan the layout for better appearance. They use hand tools like hammers during the work. They usually work indoors and during regular daytime. Workers usually experience cuts from the tools they work with. A formal high school qualification is not a major requirement. Training by an employer or constructor would suffice.

They ensure that construction meet local and international regulations. Spend most of the time inspecting work either alone or as part of the group. They may have to climb ladders or crawl in tight spaces and most work full time during working hours. Most employers require someone with a diploma and considerable experience in construction work.

He drives, maneuvers or controls the heavy machines used for construction. They usually get dirty during the work. They work full time and even in odd hours. Many learn the job at sites without having any formal academic qualification.

He is responsible for the overall planning, coordination and control of a project from beginning to completion. He aims at meeting client's requirement in order to produce a functionally and financially viable project. He collaborates with engineers and architects. A formal qualification such as Civil engineering degree is needed.

These are unskilled people who do helping work at a construction site. No academic qualification is needed.

Drywall and Ceiling Installers hang wallboards to walls, ceiling and install ceiling inside the building. Tapers prepare wallboards for painting, using tape and other materials. Many workers do both installing and taping. They spend most of the time standing, bending and stretching. They could sustain injuries from falling from a ladder, sustaining cuts from tools etc. The work can be dusty and irritate the skin. One can learn this at a technical school or through some informal training.

He is a tradesperson specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, machines and other related equipment. They may also be employed to install electrical equipment. Due to its nature of work in relation to safety, many jurisdictions require Electricians to be properly trained, tested and licensed. The University of Malawi and TEVETA institutions offer this training and testing. They work in climbing ladders, drilling walls etc.

They install, fix and maintain elevators, escalators and moving walkways and other lifters. They carry heavy equipment and parts. Not usually full time employees but may be required to work overtime even 24 hours. The work is usually learned through apprenticeship.

He is a construction tradesperson who selects, cuts, installs, replaces and removes residential, commercial and artistic glass.

Apply insulating materials to pipes, ductwork, or other mechanical systems in order to help control and maintain temperature. Mathematics, building and construction, mechanical, customer and personal service, is some of the knowledge that is needed. Coordination, active thinking, extent flexibility, finger dexterity are some of the required skills in this career. At least post-secondary school qualification is needed.

They paint and hang papers on walls of building on any other places. An eye for colour, good hand-eye coordination, and neatness are required skills. They make a lot of decisions in choosing and applying the right paints and paper, vinyl and fabric for the job. Both formal and informal school can help to qualify for the job. Mathematical skills are also needed.

They bring together piping systems that deliver fluids and gases from one end to the other. This involves assembling, installing, and maintaining pipes that carry water, steam, chemicals, or fuel.

He is a tradesman who works with plaster, such as forming a layer of plaster on an interior wall or plaster decorative mouldings on ceilings or walls. Building and construction knowledge and skills are needed.

He is a tradesman who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for portable drinking water, sewage and drainage in plumbing systems. Technical training is required coupled with mathematical skills.

They repair and install the roofs of buildings using a variety of materials. The work can be hot and very demanding for it involves heavy lifting, climbing and bending. Although some can learn the job through formal training, others learn it through apprenticeship.

Lay out, cut and place segmental pavers unit. It includes installers of bedding and restraining materials for the paving units. They create durable and attractive surfaces for driveways, walkways, and patios.

They fabricate, assemble, install, and repair metal products and equipment such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, furnaces etc. Mechanical, mathematical, administration knowledge is required. Critical thinking, decision making, arm-hand steadiness, visualization are among the many required skills and abilities. Formal education is needed above secondary school.

Is a masonry of shaping rocks into geometrical shapes and arranging them to form structures. Architectural knowledge and skills are needed. This ancient craft requires precision, artistic ability, and understanding of stone properties.

They decorate buildings or structures with terrazzo. The work involves bending, kneeling and reaching. Many learn the work through apprenticeship. Terrazzo is a composite material poured in place or precast, which is used for floor and wall treatments.