Seeking out apprentices
SKILLS WEEK
With the Tasmanian building and construction industry leading the nation in growth over the past 12 months, it is a challenge for big companies and smaller building operators to recruit skilled apprentices who are already specialising in their chosen trade.
VET Certificate I in Construction and Certificate II in Construction Pathways at Elizabeth College equip students with the skills, knowledge and right attitude that employers are looking for.
Certificate I is a broad introduction to the workforce, where students learn communication skills, safety compliance and workplace expectations.
In Certificate II students practice different trades, such as carpentry, plastering, tiling, bricklaying and form work and choose their specialisation.
Their current project is constructing a fleet of cubby houses that are sold at cost price to the community.
Here, students learn everything from framing a wall, to roofing,
DEENA KING painting and glazing, and end up with a final product they can be proud of.
Elizabeth College teacher, Andrew Olding, has seen Elizabeth College’s VET Construction program go from strength to strength.
“The feedback we’ve had from industry has been fantastic. Companies can come to us if they are looking for apprentices and say that our students come to the workplace with great knowledge and understanding of the sector,” Andrew said.
The course attracts students who have always known they wanted to be tradies, some who come from families already in the construction industry, and those who have completed their Year 11 pre-tertiary subjects and now want to work with their hands, go outside and get creative.
This year has has also seen the highest number of girls in the program.
Mackenzie Lewis is hoping for an apprenticeship in painting or tiling and loves the idea of working on interiors and finessing the final product, while her classmate, Deena King, comes from a family who work in the industry and is looking at painting or plastering.
“I really enjoy it. I’m good at it and it’s something I see myself doing for the rest of my life,” she said.
Harry Young has decided to specialise in carpentry after hearing about VET Construction and doing an induction last year.
He is going on a work placement at Fairbrothers in a few weeks to get a taste of what it is like to work for a big commercial company.
I REALLY ENJOY IT. I’M GOOD AT IT AND IT’S SOMETHING I SEE MYSELF DOING FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE