WITH A population set to
hit half a million by 2036,
Ipswich is about to enter
another construction boom
– and with that comes
greater opportunities for
apprentices in the industry.
In the past month,
Queensland has recorded
the highest level of
students in over a decade
following the rollout of the
Big Build program, and
initiatives including the
Free Tools for First Years
program under the Homes
For Queenslanders Plan.
The Free Tools for First
Years program is also
being expanded to over
10,000 eligible apprentices
in trades, allowing any
first-year construction
apprentice who started on
or from May 25, 2023 to
get up to $1000 cash-back.
The highest level
of skills and training
activity since 2012 has
been recorded, with
244,000 students funded
in VET during 2023-24,
including a record 55,500
apprentices.
Future electricians,
carpenters, engineers, and
those looking to get in on
Queensland’s Big Build are
some of the State’s most
popular qualifications.
Local first year carpentry
apprentice Kody Liekmeier
said that initiatives
including the Free Tools
for First Years program
would help him in his
apprenticeship.
“I’ve always wanted to
build stuff, and a thousand
bucks really goes a long
way,” he said.
“This will help me so
much, with apprentice
wages being a bit tough,
$1000 to take off your tool
bill is a good thing to have.
“I’ve just recently bought a Makita kit,
including an impact driver,
a saw, and a planer for
carpentry, along with a leaf
blower to clean up the site.”
Master Builders
Queensland deputy CEO
Sue-Ann Fresneda said
apprentices were vital in
the construction industry as
it was the starting point for
most of their careers.
“For us, they’re our future
leaders of tomorrow,” she
said.
“While the industry offers
many opportunities, most
of our workers begin their
career on the tools and then
really there’s no limit to
where that can take them.”
Ms Fresneda said the
balance between needing
apprentices and businesses
finding the time to nurture
them was a tight rope to
walk, but one that would
lead to strengthening
the future success of the
industry.
“If we look long-term, we
need to make some changes
right now, and that is about
supporting our people,” she
said.
“It’s not just a matter of
you turn up for work any
more, do your work and
leave at the end of the day.
“If we want the next
generation to come through
and really be a positive
part of the building and
construction industry, I
think we need to do things
differently.”
Ms Fresneda said many
apprentices were employed
by small businesses.
“That is why we need
more government subsidies
to take on apprentices,
because these are companies
that don’t have massive HR
teams or big backing behind
them,” she said.
“That’s why all of the
apprentice support channels
are so important, because
we’ve got small business
here trying to give some
young people a go.
“That is just so important
for the future of the
industry.”
Minister for Employment
and Small Business and
Minister for Training
and Skills Development
Lance McCallum said
the initiatives were
transforming lives,
removing financial barriers,
and setting Queenslanders
on the path to success.
“With record numbers
of Queenslanders getting
skilled up thanks to our new
Skills Strategy that delivers
one million training places,
the future is bright for our
booming workforce, with
Queenslanders getting the
skills they need for good
jobs we are creating,” Mr
McCallum said.
“I’m incredibly proud
to see a record number
of Queenslanders getting
skilled up – this is a major
win for our state.”
New Apprentices Focus on Future
