Concretors (also called concrete placers or concrete finishers) prepare formwork, place, compact, level, and finish concrete for foundations, slabs, columns, beams, roads, bridges, dams, and other civil and building structures. The trade spans reinforced concrete (RC) work — tying rebar, positioning cages, and pouring structural concrete — through to surface finishing, curing, and repair of existing concrete using specialist materials. In South Africa, concreting is a CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority)-registered artisan trade. Entry requires a TVET N2 Certificate in Concreting, followed by a 3-year apprenticeship and a Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) trade test. South Africa's ongoing infrastructure build programmes — roads, bridges, bulk water and sanitation, social housing, and commercial construction — create consistent, high-volume demand for qualified concretors throughout the country.
Concretors read structural drawings and pour schedules, erect and strike formwork and falsework, tie and position steel reinforcement to specification, place and compact concrete using internal vibrators and screed boards, hand-float and power-float slab surfaces to a specified finish, apply curing compounds or wet hessian to prevent cracking, sample fresh concrete for slump and cube tests, and carry out defect repairs using epoxy grouts or shotcrete. On larger civil projects they operate concrete pumps and chutes and co-ordinate with readymix suppliers.
Grade 10 (Std 8) minimum for TVET N2 entry. Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy is helpful for volume calculations, mix ratios, and reading structural drawings. No specific subject requirements beyond Grade 10 for TVET N2 entry. TVET N2 and N3 Certificates in Concreting required. Mathematical Literacy accepted for N-level entry.
Use the free Career Helper APS Calculator to calculate your exact score for each SA university.
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
- Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
Programme names and requirements vary by institution. Always verify directly with the university before applying.
Complete Grade 10 and enrol at a CETA-accredited TVET college for the N2 and N3 Concreting programme. Theory covers concrete technology (mix design, water-cement ratios, admixtures), formwork and falsework systems, reinforced concrete principles, surface finishing techniques, concrete testing, curing methods, and health and safety on construction sites. TVET colleges in Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo offer concreting as part of their construction trades curriculum.
Register as an apprentice with a CETA-accredited construction or civil engineering employer for 3 years. Major civil contractors (Group Five, Aveng, Stefanutti Stocks, and infrastructure SOEs such as SANRAL and Transnet) regularly take on concreting apprentices. The apprenticeship combines on-site practical work with N4–N6 college theory. CETA discretionary grants cover TVET fees and pay a monthly training allowance for qualifying apprentices.
Pass the GCC Concreting trade test at a CETA-accredited assessment centre to qualify as a certified artisan. Qualified concretors work on roads, bridges, dams, bulk infrastructure, commercial developments, and social housing. Experienced concretors progress to concrete gang leader, site foreman, or quality control inspector. Specialists in post-tensioned concrete, slip-forming, or shotcrete repair command significantly higher rates. Many experienced concretors establish their own concrete sub-contracting businesses.
How do I become a concretor in South Africa?
Are there bursaries for concreting training in South Africa?
What do concretors earn in South Africa?
Is concreting in demand in South Africa?
Salary ranges are indicative for South Africa 2026 based on market data. Actual salaries vary by employer, location, and experience.