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]]>15/09/2023
Empowering South Australia’s Future Workforce: Brick and Block Careers, secures Funding (Skill shortage grant) in SA.
This milestone achievement marks a pivotal moment in our mission to foster a highly skilled and innovative workforce that drives economic growth and success in the region.
Brick and Block Careers is pleased to have received the funding grant. This has facilitated the hiring of an Industry Engagement officer as well as increased marketing in South Australia.
Brick and Block Careers seeks to prepare workers for economic growth and jobs in the building and construction industry; and to grow, extend, and assist the sector by providing job opportunities in brick and blocklaying. The full-time officer will help to expand brick and block laying job possibilities throughout South Australia, hence supporting Brick and Block Manufacturers.
The funding will be utilised to support and expand a diverse range of apprenticeship opportunities, bridging the gap between education and employment. It demonstrates a shared commitment to nurturing talent, reducing youth unemployment, and promoting sustainable economic development.
Brick and Block Careers has been at the forefront of advocating for apprenticeships as a vital pathway to address the evolving demands of the workforce. This funding will allow us to expand the reach of more young talents to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in a competitive job market. Construction has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, but this is now changing. We believe that greater diversity strengthens our workplaces. Our goal at Brick and Block Careers is to promote a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
Brick and Block Careers would like to acknowledge the South Australian government and all stakeholders involved for their foresight and dedication to investing in the next generation of skilled professionals.
Please visit Brick and Block Careers website for more information: www.brickandblockcareers.org.au.
The launch of BRICKSTART SA is scheduled for September 18th, 2023. The Brick and Block Careers team is organizing the event, which will be attended by The Hon Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training, and Skills SA, and Cameron Baker, SA Skills Commissioner, along with more than 60 guests.
For media inquiries, please contact Ayesha Dadlani, Marketing and Communications Manager – Brick and Block Careers – ayesha.d@brickandblock.org.au.
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Brick and Block Careers team attended the MCA Excellence in Brick and Blocklaying Awards Night. It was held last week on Friday 4 November 2022 at the Doltone House – Jones Bay Wharf.
The awards showcased the outstanding craftmanship, professional standards and demonstrated the commitment to the Masonry Industry.
Apprentices and builders were recognised on the evening for their achievements. It was a great night to reward and celebrate all who were nominated and the winners on the night.
One of the award categories was ‘MCA Apprentice of the year 2022’ from the following TAFE’s – Wollongong, Granville, Newcastle, Miller and Nirimba. See caption for details.
Brick and Block Careers team was honoured to be a part of the evening. We would like to acknowledge Brendan Coyle – President of MCA as well as the dedicated team including teachers, employers, and builders that worked on improving the quality, reliability, and integrity of the Masonry (Brick and Block-laying) Industry.
Photo 1 caption L-R: Michael Morrissey – Chief Executive Officer – Brick and Block Careers, Louis Gillick – Wollongong TAFE Apprentice, Wilson Clarke – Newcastle TAFE Apprentice, Angus Hayden – Nirimba TAFE Apprentice and Luca Messia – Granville TAFE Apprentice.
Bradley Bednar – Miller TAFE Apprentice could not attend the event.
Photo 2 caption L-R: Bruce Kirby from Eden Brae Homes
Nadine McEwan – Industry Engagement Officer NSW-ACT – Brick and Block Careers, Nathan McEwan and Rudi Meuwissen – TAFE Teacher Nirimba TAFE
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The award was presented to Tim by his bricklaying trainer Tony Sapio (pictured on the right),
ABBTF CEO – Michael Morrissey (pictured on the left) and FCTA CEO – Trisch Baff.
Tim completed his bricklaying apprenticeship in November 2021 while working for the South Australian Master Builders Association GTO. He now has a full-time trade position with Bedrock Brick and Block Laying in the north of Adelaide.
Tony spoke about how Tim’s skills and craftmanship improved significantly during the four years. In particular, the impressive fireplace Tim built which included herringbone brickwork. Tim wanted to show case his skills by designing an advanced final project that other apprentices could see.
Tim took up bricklaying as he loves working with his hands and being outdoors. He has just completed his sub-contractor course and is looking forward to the challenges ahead.
FCTA – Building Careers is a private training organisation in Adelaide that has been delivering flexible training to bricklayers, tilers, solid plasterers, and stonemasons since 2001. Their training focuses on the development of hand and technical skills. They offer employers and apprentices a flexible timetable with a blend of onsite and trade school-based attendance. Contact FCTA on 08 83675615 or visit their website fcta.com.au.
Open doors to the Building and Construction Industry. Now is the time to get started! becomeabricklayer.com.au.
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Meet Taylah Chilby, (17-year-old) from the Illawarra region who has recently been signed up as a 1st year Bricklaying Apprentice. She is currently working with Kristian Moore from Alpine Brick Company. Kristian currently has a crew of 7, with 5 apprentices, and Taylah is his 1st female apprentice. Kristian has 2 young daughters himself and would like them to have equal opportunity. Kristian was happy to welcome Taylah onboard.
Taylah was in year 11 when she decided that school wasn’t for her and wanted to leave. She was unsure of what she wanted to do – however, to leave school she knew that she had to find a job or a course to study at TAFE. Taylah really enjoys working with her hands and being outdoors. So she chose a trade as all her family are in trades. No one in her family are Bricklayers although she was keen to give it a go and thought that would be a good spot for her. She enrolled into the night course at Wollongong TAFE and really started to enjoy it and decided to choose that as a career.
Taylah is very passionate about Bricklaying and wants to encourage other girls as she says, “you never know if you’re going to like it until you give it a go”!
After completing her Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying, Taylah would like to gain more experience within the trade and potentially go on to become a builder.
Her advice to anyone thinking about joining the trade is to take is slow, listen, follow Instructions and don’t slack off.
What she loves most about the job is that it’s always Go, Go, Go. There is always something to do which keeps her active and fit.
Way to go Taylah!
Trade careers are rewarding and positively impact on the economic security of women! There’s never been a better time for women to enter the trades industry. Looking for a well-paid career path…? Then find your future freedom – and become a bricklayer! https://www.brickandblock.org.au/
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]]>Bricklaying is an in-demand trade with numerous job opportunities. In recent years we are seeing a greater uptake of these opportunities by women. We’re excited to see more and more women choosing to enter the workforce within the construction industry. Not only are they carving a pathway for themselves, they are also great role models for the next generation. Most bricklayers start out as apprentices, learning on the job from a qualified professional. Many people who start out as bricklayers choose to build upon their skills and further their careers.
In this blog, we are featuring two such talented females who decided to enter this pre-dominantly male industry and make a mark.
This year we launched our ambassadors, and they symbolise “the art of the possible” and the career pathways to get there by reflecting on their own journeys! Our 2021 Ambassador team has 6 ambassadors, including 2 females, Monique Juratovac and Chelsea Whelan who represent the bricklaying industry. Both of these ambassadors are great examples of women in bricklaying and they are great believers that women should give it a go and consider bricklaying as a career choice.
Hear from Monique Juratovac and Chelsea Whelan and learn how and why they decided to enter the construction industry.
Monique Juratovac – Apprentice Bricklayer – WA
Bricklaying was not the career path Monique Juratovac saw for herself when she was younger . The 22-year-old from WA initially completed a three-year hairdressing apprenticeship, but after a year working in the industry, knew it wasn’t for her. She decided to try out bricklaying – and fell in love with it from day one. Monique is a strong believer of finding what makes you happy and going for it.
While searching for a new calling, Monique decided to do a trial run with a bricklaying family friend – and she hasn’t looked back since.
It’s a trade where she gets to work outside, be hands-on, and still harness that creativity and eye for detail that initially led her to hairdressing.
We are sure Monique has and will inspire many women to join the industry! You go girl, sky is the limit.
Interview with Bricklaying Competitor Monique Juratovac | 2021 WorldSkills Australia National Championships
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj-3pOkabZ0
National Skills Week – Building your career brick by brick – Session 1
https://www.nationalskillsweek.com.au/building-your-career-brick-by-brick-segment-1/
Chelsea Whelan – Qualified Bricklayer – TAS
Chelsea is the first woman in Tasmania to take on and complete her bricklaying apprenticeship, who says “it’s exactly the same as any other bloke going for the job,” Chelsea decided to follow in her father and grandfather’s footsteps, both were bricklayers.
Chelsea loves to see the results of her work – [“I built that” sitting back when I’ve finished and be like, hell yeah, I finished that, I did that whole thing! Satisfying to know I am capable of that kind of thing.”]
Chelsea’s advice to students and school leavers looking at getting into a bricklaying apprenticeship –
“you don’t know if you’ll like it or if you can do it until you try it! You can be thin and still give your hardest and be just as good as the blokes or someone with massive muscles. Be persistent at it and give it a good crack.”
A few years back construction was not an option or even discussed at school for females, we have seen a major shift recently.
ABBTF strongly advocates that a trade career choice is a viable choice for both men and women. Women wanting to become a bricklayer, but are worn down by the age old ‘you can’t do it because you’re a girl’ from family or friends, it is time to break theses myths. Surely as an industry we want to grow construction into the future and what better way to do that than to accept both men and women as tradespeople.
With more young workers like Monique and Chelsea entering the industry, the future looks promising!
Enjoy being outdoors, like working with your hands and love seeing the end results – consider a career in the bricklaying industry, we’d love to hear from you. For more information, get in touch with us https://www.brickandblock.org.au/australian-brick-and-blocklaying-training-foundation/
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]]>2nd Year Apprentice with employer Bradley Wakefield Bricklaying!
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your story and what made you get into bricklaying?
A: “I started as a tennis coach. At tennis, I met Bradley Wakefield (current employer) and gave bricklaying a go. I started working with Brad and signed up into an apprenticeship at the age of 17 (2 years back)”.
Q: What do you enjoy most about bricklaying as a job?
A: “Working with the team, boss makes it enjoyable.”
Nick thrives off hard work and being able to see the results of the work each day from start to finish.
Q: What’s your plan going forward once you complete your apprenticeship?
A: “To continue with Brad (Bradley Wakefield Bricklaying) for a few more years to get myself some more experience. Eventually I want to branch off to start my own business and take on some apprentices one day”.
Q: In the time that you have been an apprentice, what has been your biggest achievement or favourite project that you have worked on?
A: “Biggest achievement was being able to do the stairs at home for mum that saved her $14,000. Nothing was more rewarding then being able to use the skills I have learnt to help my mum out massively by saving her money.”
Nick did this project with his grandad, and really enjoyed working with him.
Q: What advice would you give students or school leavers looking at getting into a bricklaying apprenticeship?
A: “GO FOR IT!!! Don’t sit back and think about it – just give it a go. At the same time you got to be dedicated and willing to work hard but seeing the end result makes it all worth it.”
Q: Tell us a bit about your family as we heard you have 4 generations of bricklayers?
A: My dad, grandfather and great grandfather were all bricklayers! My grandad was bricklaying for 60 years and went into building from there as well. My great grandfather had his own business as a bricklayer, where my grandad started his trade with his dad and passed down his knowledge from there. My grandparents are originally from England, they started the business in England and then moved to Australia and continued the legacy here.
Q: Tell us more about your grandad’s career as a bricklayer? Does he still love bricklaying?
A: He started learning with his dad who had his own bricklaying business in England, then my grandad (Ken Spicer) moved to Australia and started his own business here and began also building houses and everything in which he got the skills to be able to do this just from understanding the bricklaying trade.
We asked Nick’s grandfather about bricklaying and he says that if he could (as he is 88) he would get back into it and pick up the trowel and start laying bricks it is his passion and he would be happy doing it till the day he dies which is why he enjoyed getting in and getting dirty to help Nick complete the project at Nick’s mother’s house, his age was not stopping him getting in and laying bricks again.
Thinking of becoming a bricklayer? Or maybe you’re just interested in finding out if it’s the right job for you. Get in touch with us and find out more info. https://www.brickandblock.org.au/contact-us/
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]]>The post Community & School Liaison Officer-WA appeared first on Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation Ltd (ABBTF).
]]>One week in and Dion has well and truly settled in her new role. Dion attended Perth Jobs Fair this week and had a great experience “There’s nothing like going in the deep end to learn about your new role-just six days in and I’m already learning so much about the industry”- Dion Said.
Dion is a confident communicator and excellent at building and developing relationships.
Her passion lies in the health and fitness industry, Dion has wealth of experience working for a Fitness RTO and the education side of the industry.
Dion also has previous experience with high schools and getting students into fitness courses and had a career as a Personal Trainer.
Dion is very passionate about supporting young people on their career journey.
Apart from her full-time role, Dion outside of work competes/volunteers in Powerlifting and has competed at a National level, currently holding a state record for deadlift.
If you are a careers advisor or candidate in WA, we are here to help – simply get in touch with our Community & School Liaison Officer:
Dion Stewart
E: dion.stewart@abbtf.com.au
P: 1300 66 44 96
M: 0475202270
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This year’s Doorways2construction (D2C) was held this month in December and several teachers attended the 3-day session. Half the group participated in bricklaying, with the training team from Tonsley-TAFE SA showing teachers how to mix and apply mortar, lay courses of bricks, and build up a corner. The other half participated in solid plastering, including mixing up render, applying a scratch coat onto a wall, floating a final finish, and quoin work.
‘D2C’ is a Vocational Education and Training in Schools Program (VETiS) set up by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in conjunction with the secondary schools sectors of South Australia and jointly funded with the State Government.
The event was co-sponsored by ABBTF and attended by our CEO Michael Morrissey. This event was also attended by majority of our SA Member Companies (Manufacturers) Austral Bricks, Boral and Adbri, who were there to meet the teachers on the last day. This was a great opportunity to collaborate with our industry partners.
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]]>The post JobTrainer Skills package – July 2020 appeared first on Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation Ltd (ABBTF).
]]>ABBTF welcomed the announcement by the Federal Government of the $2 billion JobTrainer program. This will help Australians access new skills required to remain employed and mitigate the impact to the economy due to COVID-19. Together with the states and territories, the JobTrainer program will provide an additional 340,700 training places to help school leavers and job seekers access short and long courses to develop new skills.
Our Apprentices & Employers will now be supported beyond the original timeframe
- The Government is expanding the wage incentive to help keep the apprentices in work, covering half of the wages paid to apprentices and trainees until March 2021. The Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy will now help almost 90,000 businesses employing around 180,000 apprentices and trainees throughout Australia.
- Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships Steve Irons said the expanded waged subsidy would more than double the number of supported apprentices and trainees. This will dramatically improve the viability of tens of thousands of apprenticeships and the businesses employing them right across the country.
Funding Sign Up
- States and territories need to sign up to a new Heads of Agreement to access JobTrainer funding, with the agreement setting out immediate reforms to improve the vocational education and training sector, and providing the foundation for long term improvements as outlined by the Prime Minister in his recent speech to the National Press Club.
Here at ABBTF our main goal has always been to support young Australians build a career in the building and construction industry. We are thrilled to showcase the unlimited opportunities and Career pathways that exist in our industry. The support programs will ensure Australians get the training they need right now to get the jobs of the future and make a real difference to the economy.
If you are a School Leaver or Job Seeker, now is the best time to contact us and discuss opportunities to start a career in Bricklaying. https://www.brickandblock.org.au/contact-us/
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ABBTF would like to congratulate the Western Australian Government in significantly reducing Bricklaying Trade Training Costs this week. The new Fee Schedule particularly for school leavers and mature aged persons, will make it more attractive to engage in a Bricklaying Pre-Apprenticeship with a quality training provider. The timing is spot on given the current high demand for Bricklaying Apprentices in the greater Metropolitan Area, Peel, and the South West. It will help Industry meet the demand for trades in this current upturn based on dramatically improved home building sales sparked by State and Federal support for New Home Builders.
- $57 million package to help with WA’s recovery from COVID-19
- $25 million for free TAFE short courses to upskill thousands of Western Australians
- Courses will focus on current and emerging job opportunities
- $32 million for more major reductions in TAFE fees as part of the WA Recovery Plan
- TAFE fees for 39 additional high priority qualifications slashed by between 50 per cent and up to 72 per cent for Diploma courses
- Maximum annual fee that youth and concession holders will pay is capped at $400 for Semester 2
- The McGowan Labor Government has unveiled a comprehensive $57 million package for the training sector that will deliver 15 free short courses and slash TAFE fees by as much as 72 per cent for thousands of Western Australians as part of the WA Recovery Plan.
Government of Western Australia – Media Statement:
In an expansion of the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative that rolled out before COVID-19, TAFE fees for a further 39 high priority courses will be slashed by as much as 72 per cent. The expanded program now includes 73 courses in total and will ensure Western Australians, can access affordable training to help them get back into jobs, after TAFE fees increased by as much as 510 per cent under the previous Liberal National Government.
The heavily reduced fees have been targeted to align with the State’s immediate economic needs following COVID-19.
The program now also includes 27 Certificate courses that will be reduced from between 50 and 67 per cent for areas such as plumbing, agriculture, METRONET courses, construction, electrical trades, health services, fabrication, mental health and disability services.
A further six pre-apprenticeship courses will have fees cut by 67 per cent. The pre‑apprenticeships course, which include areas including automotive electrical technology, engineering, plumbing and, building and construction, will prepare students for apprenticeships in industries where there will be demand for skilled workers. From the second semester, the maximum annual fee students will pay is capped at $400 for concession students and youth and $1,200 for non-concession students. It is expected that adding a further 39 courses to the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative will increase annual TAFE enrolments by more than 6,000 students and provide fee relief to more than 27,000 enrolments over the second half of 2020 and during 2021.
The package includes $25 million for ‘Free TAFE Short Courses’ that have been developed in consultation with industry to engage displaced workers, including women and young people, and meet immediate and emerging skill requirements as the economy recovers. The free short courses will provide a launch-pad for students to up-skill for new jobs and provide pathways to full qualifications.
The initial list of 15 short courses will be available to around 13,500 Western Australians and includes courses in, hospitality, logistics, cyber security, agriculture, civil construction, and small business. Many of the short courses have built-in foundation digital skills and literacy and numeracy training.
The free short courses can also be used as a credit towards a full qualification from the expanded Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative.
For more information visit https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/ or contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64.
Many thanks
Dean Pearson – WA Manager
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