Bricklayers and blocklayers are
in heavy demand in the Western Australian construction industry with 50 – 60
job vacancies being advertised at any given time.
Given the shortage of skilled brick
and blocklayers in the Australian construction industry, employers have come
together as part of an industry foundation to provide training through an
apprenticeship.
According to Dean Pearson,
Western Australia Manager of the Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training
Foundation, there is a huge demand for apprentices in the NSW and WA
construction markets with businesses willing to take people on their rolls.
Pearson adds that the jobs are available
and so is support; all they need now are applicants. However, the overwhelming
paperwork and administration make it even harder to employ apprentices and fix
their skills shortage.
MEGT Australian Apprenticeships
Centre Consultant Ashley Williamson explains that when he is called by Dean to help
with training contracts and incentive assessments, he expects a commercial
customer service attitude and responsiveness from MEGT.
Being a free
government-contracted service, MEGT assists with getting people that really
want a career in this industry into apprenticeships. The Foundation looks to
MEGT to help promote their industry alongside them; provide mentoring support
to help get young people through the four years of learning their trade; give
unbiased, fair advice on quality trainers and employment model options; and
help with getting the administration side of things done quickly and correctly.
Australian Apprenticeships are
an Australian Government initiative.
