The Cairns Post

Trainees need to build up

- JACK LAWRIE jack.lawrie@news.com.au

NEWS of a decline in apprentice­ships across Queensland has prompted Far North tradies to share their top tips to help get the numbers up as a new generation of school leavers prepares to enter the workforce.

State Government data revealed yesterday that the number of apprentice­s across Queensland had dropped by almost 30,000 in five years, with 2119 fewer in the Far North.

Reef Constructi­ons managing director Phil Meadows said not everyone had the commitment to earn a living from the industry.

‘It’s difficult to find young people who want to commit to three or four years as an apprentice, especially with the hard work and the heat that comes from working in Cairns,” he said. “The building industry is a great industry to be in – there’s good money to be made – but you’ve got to work for it.”

Mr Meadows said the main quality tradies looked for in a young apprentice was reliabilit­y.

“You want people that turn up every day, five days a week and be willing to learn,” he said.

Jason Dekroon of JD Tiling agreed that reliabilit­y was the most important factor, though having your own transport also helped.

Mr Dekroon is planning to take on his first apprentice next year.

“It’s difficult just to be able to take one on in a competitiv­e market; you’ve got to have the financial leeway,” he said.

“Having one can be a good benefit – if you train them up and they do a good job, you can make money in the big picture.”

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 ?? Picture: STEWART McLEAN ?? HOT WORK: Labourer Jay Lecchi and builder Phil Meadows from Reef Constructi­ons Queensland are building a new home at Smithfield Village Estate.
Picture: STEWART McLEAN HOT WORK: Labourer Jay Lecchi and builder Phil Meadows from Reef Constructi­ons Queensland are building a new home at Smithfield Village Estate.

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