Free training paving the way for building construction careers

• Bricklaying Job Ready program helping meet strong demand for construction workers
• Part of the State Government's Fee Free training initiative
• Short course training new entrants for bricklaying jobs
• Government and industry partnership connecting participants with employers
• ABN Group among WA employers taking on new apprentices through the program

The Cook Government's partnership with Western Australia's building and construction industry has helped hundreds of jobseekers take advantage of a free pre-employment pathway that guides participants quickly and effectively into bricklaying jobs.

Training Minister Simone McGurk today met with a group of Bricklaying Job Ready program participants at North Metropolitan TAFE's Clarkson campus who secured apprenticeships with ABN Group after completing the course, helping to meet strong demand for bricklayers in the local building and construction sector.

Part of the State Government's Fee Free training initiative, the Bricklaying Job Ready program was developed in consultation with WA industries to deliver short and sharp training with wraparound support for job seekers and young people, enabling them to upskill or reskill in industries with a need for skilled workers.

Of the more than 2,530 participants who have commenced Job Ready programs, over 1,125 participants have secured employment in the industry or gone on to further training, adding to the pipeline of skilled workers needed across a range of essential sectors. More than 440 of commencements were in the Bricklaying Job Ready program.

Participants complete the Work Safety in Construction short course skill set at TAFE, which teaches work safety practices, how to use a range of construction equipment and tools including levelling devices, and about basic bricklaying for new and existing structures including residential homes, units and apartments.

On completion of the course, participants are connected with opportunities to transition into employment, undertake an apprenticeship with a participating employer or further their training.

Job Ready programs ensure Western Australians, particularly First Nations people, young people, people looking for work or receiving income support, unpaid carers, people with disability, and women facing economic insecurity, can access affordable training to help them get into jobs.

To date, nearly 32 per cent of Job Ready participants are women, 29 per cent are aged under 25, 19 per cent are Aboriginal people, and 25 per cent undertook the training in regional WA.

The State Government's Fee Free and Lower fees, local skills (LFLS) initiatives provide free or low-fee training across a range of building and construction courses and skill sets.

You can register for the Bricklaying Job Ready program on the Jobs and Skills WA website www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/pathways or contact the Job Ready team on 6551 5049.

For more information on Fee Free and low-fee training, contact your nearest Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 or visit www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready.

Comments attributed to Training Minister Simone McGurk:

"Job Ready programs are fast, free entry-level courses that enable students to overcome cost barriers to training, allowing them to gain the skills they need to enter the workforce.

"The program includes additional wraparound support and on the job training, which has led to some fantastic outcomes for participants and employers – particularly in areas like bricklaying where we know there is a strong demand for workers.

"Developing our building and construction workforce is an absolute priority for this Government – so we can get boots on the ground and people into their homes faster.

"It has been great to hear first-hand from participants about their experiences, especially how fee free courses have supported them to overcome barriers to training - and to land jobs."

Comments attributed to Housing Minister John Carey:

"The Cook Government is focused on boosting housing supply across the State, and to build more houses, we have introduced a range of measures to bolster our skilled labour force to get them delivered.

"The free Bricklaying Job Ready program is a fantastic example of how this Government is reducing barriers to training to get more skilled workers onto construction sites.

"We'll continue to use every lever we can to get more homes built to ease pressure on the housing market."

Comments attributed to Burns Beach MLA Mark Folkard:

"With Perth's northern corridor forecast to be in the top areas for population growth, the Bricklaying Job Ready program here in Clarkson is helping to meet the local demand for workers.

"It's great to see this free program delivering training for in-demand jobs and getting homes built in our booming northern suburbs."