Training Metropolitan training operated from leased facilities in Jolimont until June when, after five years and 12,000 training participants, the Training and Safety business units returned to Master Builders West Perth premises. Ever increasing costs, including Land Tax, made Jolimont unviable. The West Perth training facilities have limitations but are modern and offer some advantages. The aim is to offer daily courses, with hired facilities catering for any overflow. Geraldton, Bunbury and Albany regional premises continue to offer training but struggle for attendance numbers to make courses viable. During the year, the Board appointed a consultant to review training as a business unit and to conduct an audit of our Registered Training Organisation. Master Builders has applied to the Training Accreditation Council to increase nationally accredited qualifications that can be offered, allowing a move away from partnering with other RTOs.
Training courses were reviewed and some with low interest replaced with new relevant and topical content. Construction Safety Awareness (White Card) training remains steady with about 500 yearly completions. Master Builders does follow up assessments with all participants to check identities and ensure quality learning. Most participants are mature workers who complete the course online. The Construction Apprentice Mentoring Scheme ended in June with Master Builders funding the last mentoring of 29 apprentices until they completed their first year of mentorship. The last apprentices were signed off in September and the Apprentice Engagement Officer’s employment ended. Master Builders continues to advise employers wanting to take on apprentices and youths wanting to undertake apprenticeships. Under the CAMS project, Master Builders mentored 115 apprentices.
The eleventh annual Master Builders Apprentice Awards were held in November with 66 finalists. Nominations for bricklaying and direct indentured apprentice categories remained strong and the overall standard of finalists was very high.
Outstanding female Apprentice winner Emma Burgess (left) & finalists Alicia Hodson, Martika Moffat, Kayla Huggins & Kylie Beard with Master Builders’ Director Michael McLean
COMMITTEE
Training remains very competitive with low attendances. Construction Training Fund figures show a steady decline in construction workers completing short course training. One reason is the number of skilled people returning from the resources sector.
Robert Spadaccini (Chairman), Spadaccini Homes Ryan Cole, Savvy Construction Alan Davis, Construction Training Fund Danne Forte, Projex Management & Construction Geoff Geary, Pyramid Constructions (WA) Daniel Kemp, Silver Trowel Trade Training Dean Pearson, ABBTF Stacey Rimene, Home Group WA Adam Spadaccini, Spadaccini Homes Bala Suppiah, Stirling Skills Training Mike Fitzgerald, Master Builders Neil Du Rand, Master Builders
The Diploma of Building and Construction remains popular, with 52 participants annually. A number of competitors offer the qualification, most providing ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ within four weeks and no classroom-based training. Master Builders’ training provides classes over weekends as well as offering RPL.
Talented Line up: The Apprentice of the Year finalists with winner Nicholas Coci (third from left)
8