Australian Bricklaying Apprenticeships are Valuable Trade Careers
An Australian Bricklaying Apprenticeship is a valuable learning experience which will see you gain valuable skills that could set you up with a rewarding career in the Construction Industry.
The Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF) says there are 200 unfilled bricklaying apprenticeships in Australia right now, without the candidates to fill them (source).
Despite a general slowdown in the Australian economy, the Construction Industry has seen an unprecedented surge in employment levels. Seasonally adjusted figures show employment in the sector for the three months leading to November 2014 rose by 6,600. The Construction sector now accounts for nearly 1 in 10 Australians employed across the economy (source).
It’s clear the Construction Industry is an important sector for young Australians to enter, and there are certainly positions available, especially in the Bricklaying trade. So, why are these positions vacant?
MIGAS QLD/WA State Manager, Melissa Gleeson, believes there’s a disconnection in the attitude towards 'brickie' apprenticeships, which is backed up by the ABBTF’s findings.
“Brickie apprenticeships aren’t seen as exciting as the more popular trades like electrical or boilermaking. But like any other trade, bricklaying is dirty, hard but fullfilling work," says Melissa.
"We need young Australian’s to step up and take a chance with a lesser known trade option, especially in a booming industry like Construction."
Nowadays, bricklaying apprenticeships are precise and technical, highly professional, and they regularly produce bright and successful tradespeople. With renewed building growth Australia wide, and in Perth in particular, the sector is crying out for new apprentices. The ABBTF says the issue is convincing candidates and their parents that bricklaying is a sound career choice. And it is: the Housing Industry Association forecasts strong levels of home building activity in 2015, but notes that the available tradespeople with required skill sets for home building is tight – especially in NSW and WA.
In addition to the great career prospects, Bricklayers and Bricklaying apprentices get to work outdoors, as part of a team, and have the satisfaction of building something, very literally from the ground up. And don’t forget the all-important trade qualification at the end of the apprenticeship!
You can also check out current Construction apprenticeships available right now.
Are you a business that is researching your options of having an Australian Apprentice in your workplace? Contact us and MIGAS will give you a call to discuss the best options for you and your business needs.