‘Don’t give up on work’

CONSTRUCTION companies are telling tradies to keep their chins up because there is work on the Coast.

Site preparation for The Star’s whopping 53-storey tower will begin in the coming days, catering for 1800 local construction jobs over the next four years.

Hutchinson Builders team leader Levi Corby said the Broadbeach project was one of about 17 large-scale projects they had on the go on the Coast.

“If we have 17 live projects there’s a responsibility to replace those with others, so we will mostly have around five to 15 projects live at one time,” Mr Corby said.

“I think the construction industry is still quite active on the Gold Coast and the horizon is still promising despite disappointing news around Jewel. There are prospects out there.

“The market and demand is still strong so I would suggest if people are looking for employment, there is opportunity and they should be pursuing traditional channels.”

Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) president Steve Harrison said subbies and builders could find many opportunities for work on housing estates being rolled out in the city’s north as well as in southern suburbs.

“There’s lot of activity in the greenfield areas where townhouse activity is at a high with places like Pimpama, Upper Coomera and Ormeau.

“While there has been a slowdown in work on Jewel there is still plenty of activity both in that space as well as the other cranes which are in the sky. Just look in the south in Palm Beach where (Sunland’s) Magnoli is about to go up or go for a drive down the Gold Coast Highway past Jefferson Lane and other projects.

“And soon work will begin at Ruby’s second and third towers in Surfers Paradise.”

Career opportunities agency BUSY at Work specialise in trades and training.

Careers and placement manager Elaine Braniff said there were a number of ways tradesmen could be proactive.

“Agencies like ours can take on people looking for work in the industry and help with resumes, find new opportunities, take them through interviews and do everything we can to help them get settled,” she said.

“It’s always a horrible time when this happens, but sometimes it can be a good opportunity for a shake up. A lot of tradesmen have probably had the same resume for 10-15 years.

“Value the people you know already – family, friends, exworkmates. Talk to them and get the message out you’re looking for work.”

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS STILL QUITE ACTIVE ON THE GOLD COAST ... THERE ARE PROSPECTS OUT THERE LEVI CORBY