No two days are the same at FDC, which is exactly what a young person starting their career can hope for.

FDC has allowed me to increase my knowledge with different building systems and in turn provided me with the opportunity to manage the procurement and design of services for the Oakhill College Innovation Hub and Hilltop Precinct.

It has taken the weight off my shoulders with not knowing what to do after school. I now can complete my university course while working with FDC simultaneously, which facilitates my career progression alongside my education.

FDC has given me the head start that I needed in the industry. I am grateful for the assistance and understanding they have given me to make sure I can get the most out of my studies and job at the same time.

The FDC scholarship is a great opportunity to be a part of a respectable company where you will become friends will your fellow employees rather than just colleagues. It provides a shoo-in to one of the largest industries in Australia with hundreds of different career paths available within to find what suits you.

A cadetship not only provides you with industry experience, but also a job opportunity in the industry you want to work in. FDC provides amazing opportunities for their cadets, and I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.

No two days are the same. There are so many different jobs and tasks, and FDC provides cadets with the opportunity to explore all avenues.

The best part of having a cadetship at FDC is that I learn something new every day.

Having a cadetship at FDC has set me up for a job in construction and has allowed me to excel at university due to my first-hand experiences and understanding of how a construction project operates.

I feel extremely fortunate to have been given a cadetship at FDC, at a company that is an extension of your family. It has provided me with an abundance of opportunities to grow and explore all avenues of construction.

Every person I have worked with at FDC always has time for any questions I may have and takes joy in ensuring I am learning and enjoying my work. I am so grateful for receiving a cadetship at FDC and the opportunity to continue to work in a field I enjoy for an amazing company.

FDC provides a workplace that you are excited to go to every day. It is not often that someone is fortunate enough to be excited to go to work and be extremely proud of the company they work for.

I would highly recommend a cadetship at FDC for anyone looking to pursue a career in construction. FDC provides cadets with the perfect opportunity to learn about the industry from extremely knowledgeable employees who are happy to help and pass on their experiences.

Our exceptional team includes Alex who started as a Cadet 5 years ago and has moved into a Contract Administrator role.

“When I first started with FDC I had never even been on a construction site before, so to be based on site full time as a young and inexperienced cadet and be the only woman on the construction site at the time, was a little daunting for me. I’m fortunate that from the very beginning of my time at FDC I’ve always felt fully supported and encouraged by the team around me, and that, along with the construction knowledge and experience I’ve gained has allowed that self-confidence to grow.”

We love watching our cadets kick-start their career under the mentor-ship of our expert teams. John started with FDC as a cadet in 2016 and has gone from strength to strength in our NSW Construction division.

During his time with FDC, he has been promoted to a Contracts Administrator position, working on projects such as the $60m National Herbarium of NSW, and in 2019 won the Master Builders Association Building Degree Graduate of the Year Award.

I applied for a cadetship with FDC as I saw an opportunity to work with a reputable construction company with a national presence, while also gaining practical experience across fitout and construction. The experience gained has been invaluable throughout my tertiary studies and will carry on into my career in the construction industry, providing a sound knowledge and network base to build upon.

The cadetship is an accelerated learning program that has already benefited my tertiary studies. I have been given the opportunity to work closely on a number of high value tenders across fitout and construction, some of which have recently been awarded, and I continue to learn something new every day. The one item that stands out for me is acquiring a more in depth knowledge of our Estimating software tools.

The entire team at FDC have been great to work with. Everyone is passionate about their role and working towards achieving the same outcome. Despite the busy nature of construction, everyone is more than willing to set time aside for any questions I have. I haven’t worked in any other organisations where I’m able to have lunch and talk with the General Manager about their weekend and the latest results in the rugby.

Coming from a non-trade background with only 6 months of university completed, I came into the role extremely green and have been supported throughout. People taking time to show me processes and programs and offer advice has allowed me to understand the entire tendering process, while site experience has converted this theoretical knowledge into practical experience.

I would highly recommend any students aspiring to work within the construction industry to apply for a cadetship. The knowledge and experience I have gained has been invaluable, with both work and university benefitting from one another. There are few places that give you the opportunity to commence your career and earn a salary all while studying.

I applied for the FDC cadetship online as I wanted to be able to explore the administrative aspect of a construction company, aspiring to move towards a successful leadership role within the industry.

It has been a great step, allowing me experience with both the processes required and working onsite on projects such as Esperance Hope Island with such a great team.

I’ve learned the importance of working within a great team for when things may not go exactly to plan, and everyone has been happy to help and offer support when needed.

It’s a great program and I would definitely recommend applying!

Coming from a different country with few connections, and with such a strong desire to succeed, I knew I needed to step foot into the industry before I graduated. I took the initiative to connect with FDC on social networks, which lead to me securing a place on the cadetship program.

I knew the management side of the construction industry was the right fit for me, having watched a friend complete the degree at university. I aspire to one day manage a project that I can point to and say I built that. I believe it will act as a symbol for others, especially those in my communities, to take up the opportunities that are all around them.

Throughout the cadetship I was mentored with the mindset of them wanting me to progress and that willingness supported me in moving on to become a contracts administrator. I had the opportunity to experience both contract administration and site management and learnt to read construction drawings – a major skill to have in this industry and something I did not encounter at university.

Getting the Cadetship was one thing and the company is the other. I believe I wouldn’t have achieved everything I have without the support I’ve received and continue to receive. Working among great people that are willing to share their experiences because they want you to learn and develop is the best part about working for FDC, and the fact that they give back to the community as well means a lot to me.

I would definitely recommend anyone interested to apply to the program. Be a sponge, have faith and trust the process!

I applied for the cadetship because my interests changed whilst pursuing a career in design. I still enjoyed the construction aspect of my degree, and it provided an exciting opportunity to gain knowledge and experience and new career goals and aspirations within the industry that I was interested in joining.

The highlights for me have been going to site and watching the construction and fitout processes, and the people at FDC! They are always willing to help and willing to have a laugh.

I’ve learnt how to prioritise and manage multiple tasks at the same time and I was surprised at the opportunities and support that was given to me. I had heard that many construction companies do not support their Cadets and give them the opportunity to grow out of their role, but the mentorship that I have received from my team has made the entire process easier as a new beginner.

I would definitely recommend applying to the cadetship program, as it is a great opportunity to gain work experience and apply to studies, especially if you are looking into entering contracts administration, estimating or project management.

Before becoming an FDC cadet, my goals and aspirations were to get a foothold into the construction industry and to find somewhere where I could work and learn more about the industry. I applied for this program as I had already heard great things about FDC from a fellow student who had commenced a year earlier.

I was ecstatic when I received the call that I would be joining FDC. The application process was much more personal than other cadetship applications I had completed, so I knew they had selected me for who I am as a person, not just my grades.

I’ve already had so many experiences in my time as a cadet. Visiting sites gave me a real opportunity to get hands-on experience and to connect with external clients and a personal highlight has been when the estimating team won their first project that I had contributed to. The range of work is so diverse that every day I come into the office not quite knowing what to expect.

The people are by far the best thing about FDC. Everybody that I work with is unique in their own way and always open for a chat. I’ve found that I share a lot of common interests with people from across the different sectors from marketing to construction to fitout.

From day one in the office, I’ve felt supported in my journey. I feel I have achieved more in my 7 months with FDC than could’ve been possible anywhere else, as I’ve had a support network behind me to ensure that I’m always on track.

I applied for the FDC cadetship after seeing the range of jobs they complete, knowing each would contain unique challenges that help you learn and grow. The program has been a place to develop and learn high quality professional skills. The opportunity to explore multiple projects has been really fascinating, as it gives you the feeling of being in a shared workspace where everyone benefits from each other’s experiences.

Before commencing my cadetship my goal was to be on-site, but due to the variety of areas you’re exposed to I’ve grown to enjoy spending time in both the office and on-site, which has been highly beneficial to my productivity and learning.

I felt as though I’d been put in a team which was perfectly suited to my personality, which allowed me to be more confident within myself and my ability to ask questions. From the very start my team have trained me in so many different ways from writing meeting minutes to reading drawings, I would consider them to be both friends and teachers.

Something which really surprised me was how fun and positive it is as a workspace. From the moment I stepped foot in the door I felt welcome with everyone treating each other like friends. Whether it be speaking with a manager or chatting with the other cadets, everyone is super friendly and there is always a positive energy in the office.

If you are wanting to learn in a fast paced fun environment then I would not hesitate recommending you to apply for the cadetship program. You will learn more than you can imagine and be eager to take on more projects.

I applied for a cadetship with FDC to get the most out of learning within the industry whilst undertaking my university degree. It was a chance to sink my teeth into the career and industry that I wanted to be in by getting thrown in the deep end and gaining experience in such a fast moving and interesting field.

The people at FDC are helpful, motivated and knowledgeable and my project teams and mentors spent plenty of time developing my skills. Being involved day in day out, absorbing as much information as possible and having access to ask questions to your team and peers that have been in the industry for a long time greatly assisted in progressing my development. I’ve now achieved my goal of becoming a project manager and look forward to what comes next.

I believe I learnt more by working as a cadet than undertaking studies alone, and the speed of growth and development, particularly in the construction industry, is invaluable.

The FDC cadetship program opens up plenty of opportunities, and for any potential cadets looking to apply, go for it, you will not regret it.

When I received my cadetship, I was over the moon. It meant I could transition from studying to becoming an active individual within the industry, where my knowledge could be put to the test. It has also allowed me to acquire experience and skills that cannot be taught at University.

So far, the highlight of the cadetship has been the relationships I have made at FDC. Everyone is willing to pass on knowledge and mentor me when I have questions, which is incredible. I have tried to learn and adapt as quickly as possible and I have been aided significantly by the people around me. The support and mentorship are incredible, without it I would not have progressed as quickly as I have and it has allowed me to build strong and lasting relationships.

What has surprised me the most about the cadetship is the flexibility of my role and willingness for FDC to let me explore different aspects of the business, giving me entry level knowledge to understand processes, including; estimating, administration, pricing, document control, management and on-site works.

I would recommend the cadetship to others as it provides you with a successful pathway into the industry. It allows you to broaden your knowledge base quickly, be professionally mentored by industry leaders, and build strong and lasting friendships.

A fellow student in my class was already working at FDC as a Cadet, and after hearing stories about the kind of work they were involved in, and getting an insight into the culture of the company, I knew I had to apply when applications opened. Returning to study as a mature age student can be quite daunting, but I knew that FDC would give me the unique advantage of having a blended program where I was able to complete my studies whilst gaining invaluable experiences and exposure to the industry.

It is definitely true that no two days are the same in the construction industry. It ebbs and flows, and you always have to stay on your toes! The biggest surprise I found with the cadetship is the amount of responsibility that FDC is willing to give its cadets. FDC are always looking for opportunities to help you grow and you know you can approach anyone with a question. Whichever part of the business you’re working in, you’re always working with someone that can help guide you.

The environment that you learn in is second to none and being around such knowledgeable people is such a massive advantage to have. Since starting my cadetship my new goal is to one day become a project manager at FDC.

The people are what make FDC the company it is. As soon as you walk through the door, the vibe and buzz around the office is always present, and it’s because of the people who are there. Some I have met since starting my cadetship are no longer just colleagues, but have become close friends and people that I expect I will keep in touch with for many years to come.

After leaving school I had ambitions of becoming an Architect but fortuitously an opportunity to do a Construction Management degree came up and I took it. In hindsight, it was the right move and I’ve never really looked back.

20 years ago FDC was a very different company, and our cadets application process was certainly not as structured and deliberate as it is now. I was interested gaining some exposure to the industry, but also fulfilling the work experience requirements of my course. After meeting the team I knew fairly quickly that the company had a good culture and was full of great people from the top down. My cadetship gave me a good foundational understanding of the industry, but it also gave me exposure to different parts of the business as I moved through stints in estimating, administration, and site-based roles. A well-rounded beginning helped me navigate along my future career path.

The great thing about FDC is there are mentors at every level. It’s in our interest to give our cadets the best training and mentoring possible to ensure they develop and grow into the best industry professionals they can be. That process begins at the cadet level, but it continues throughout your career.

We have a saying in the office, that “FDC is the land of opportunity”. That was certainly the case in my career; as opportunities came up, I was never afraid of taking on a new challenge. If you have a good work ethic and enjoy team work, the construction industry can be a very rewarding career path.

As a cadet who commenced with FDC in 2008, I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to grow with the business and develop long lasting working relationships with many of the management team, not to mention my colleagues.

The FDC cadetship program exposed me to all facets of the construction delivery process including valuable time spent on-site assisting the teams and developing my experience with administration. What separates FDC’s cadetship program from others is the opportunity to gain exposure to all areas of the project and not be pigeonholed into specific pathways. It’s the breadth of experiences that ultimately paved the way for me to move into a project management role, equipped with the confidence to take it on.

I’ve been very fortunate to have been able to work with the same senior management team through my career at FDC, who have offered me ongoing and valuable support as I grew through my various roles. Now, as a Project Manager, I take great pride in being able to mentor the next generation of cadets and provide them the support and guidance they need in order to confidently grow into their own careers.

If you’re someone who loves problem solving, thinking on your feet and the idea of seeing a project through from concept to completion, then a career in project management is for you! Whilst the work can be challenging, there is never a dull moment and you not only meet amazing work colleagues, but through the journey of delivering awesome projects with your team, you will also make mates for life.

I’ve always had a passion for building and construction and knew this was the field I wanted to be involved in. However, the construction industry is so diverse, that I did not know where my skillset was best suited or what possibilities were out there. The FDC cadetship gave me real-world experience and I was very proud to be given the chance to be working with such a high-profile builder.

The highlight of being a cadet with FDC was the opportunity to work on a variety of project types, size and complexity such as data centres, residential apartment developments and high-rise office building. I also gained invaluable on-site experience and was able to create lasting friendships with fellow FDC peers.

Culture is more than just a buzz word at FDC. People are at the heart of what FDC do and your peers will be encouraged and support you from the onset. This collaborative environment enables critical thinking, builds confidence and creates stronger personalities. From the moment you walk through the door on your first day, you will experience this firsthand.

FDC have an established pathway for all cadets to grow through the company and are very much focused on promoting from within. You are given the opportunity to be involved in all forms of the construction process and you are not restricted. This builds a strong foundation and well-rounded skillset that allows you to progress into senior roles over time.

Just do it!

I applied for a cadetship with FDC, as it’s a highly commended company throughout its range of offered services. The cadetship program provides a great variety of learning opportunities, with an experienced, well-rounded team to learn from.

The experience gained from working on a live project, and with a team of knowledgeable people, allows you to gain a greater understanding of the processes and procedures. As a cadet, you’re able to understand theoretical lessons at a deeper level, from working within the industry. My project highlight from working in fitout so far has to be my first within the industry: Google ODI Expansion. I was able to learn so much, from so many different people within the year working on this project.

One thing I learnt quite quickly and was always encouraged to do, was to absorb information and always ask questions. There is an abundance of mentorship and support provided by everyone at FDC. The entire team will always assist and provide guidance, allowing you to acquire new knowledge and skills.

There is no greater opportunity than a cadetship, especially with FDC. It allows you to kick-start your career within the construction industry, even if you have little experience prior to joining.

Becoming a cadet at FDC gave me a massive opportunity to experience the construction industry firsthand and learn from people who excelled in their positions. The ability to get a taste of numerous aspects of the company, from my time as an estimator, working on site and then collaborating with a project team, has given me an insight to multiple areas of the industry I may not have experienced otherwise.

FDC is an amazing place to work. One of the company’s core values is that people and relationships come first and this echoes throughout. Everyone is super friendly and always happy to help and make you feel valued in the team.

I spent my first year and a half working within the estimating team. Each member took me under their wing and showed me the ropes. I received constant support and mentoring from each team member and I am so appreciative for the time, effort and energy that was given to me.

Being able to complete my university studies while gaining industry experience is priceless to me. I have found that working in the industry while completing my university studies not only helps my understanding of my university subjects, but will put me in front of my university peers who have not gained industry experience.