Tradie’s Paradise is hell for FNQ

A NEW campaign to lure tradies with a $1750 bonus to work on flood restoration projects in South East Queensland could further impact FNQ businesses looking to recruit workers.

And Cairns business owners are concerned that the campaign could detour qualified tradies from heading to the Far North, where there is already a shortage of good workers.

On Thursday, the “Tradies in Paradise” campaign – to attract tradies from states other than NSW and Queensland to bolster the state’s skilled trade labour force and keep Queensland’s economy growing – was launched.

It features a payment of up to $1750 to the first 1000 tradespeople who move to Queensland and work for eight weeks rebuilding communities impacted by the recent floods and who work in one of the 19 eligible local government areas.

Brenton Neville, who manages his own plumbing business, said he and his wife Tanya had been looking to recruit new staff for four months.

Mr Neville, 34, said the region was experiencing a genuine shortage of qualified workers and he was concerned the new campaign would detour tradies from opportunities in FNQ.

“I reckon it probably will stop tradies from moving north to Cairns,” he said.

“There’s not many good applicants around at the moment; we have been looking since January.”

He said despite offering good wages between $80,000 and $94,999 for the right candidate, they had not been able to fill the vacancy.

Mr Neville said greater efforts were needed to market the great lifestyle aspects to tradies considering relocating to the Far North.

“We need to do more to attract new people here,” he said.

“I think everyone around here is pretty loyal and they don’t want to jump ship.

“I’ve been a plumber for 10 years and I love the variety.”

Training and Skills Development Minister Di Farmer said the campaign was recruiting carpenters, electricians, plasterers, roof tilers and plumbers, tilers, painters and decorators, plumbers, cabinetmakers, planners, architects or building designers, surveyors, building-related engineers, building certifiers, refrigeration and airconditioning mechanics and gas fitters.

The bonus is a maximum $1750 payment, comprising a $1500 relocation payment and up to $250 for travel costs.

Tradespeople are required to relocate to Queensland and undertake eight weeks’ reconstruction work in local government areas.

Applications for the relocation incentive are open until November 30 or until the 1000 places have been filled, whichever comes first.