The State Government's partnership with Western Australia's building and construction industry has helped hundreds of jobseekers take advantage of a free pre-employment pathway that guides participants quickly and effectively into bricklaying jobs.
Training Minister Simone McGurk today met with a group of Bricklaying Job Ready program participants at North Metropolitan TAFE's Clarkson campus who secured apprenticeships with ABN Group after completing the course, helping to meet strong demand for bricklayers in the local building and construction sector.
Part of the State Government's fee-free training initiative, the Bricklaying Job Ready program was developed in consultation with WA industries to deliver short and sharp training with wraparound support for job seekers and young people, enabling them to upskill or reskill in industries with a need for skilled workers. In the program, participants complete the Work Safety in Construction short course skill set at TAFE; which teaches work safety practices, how to use a range of construction equipment and tools including levelling devices, and basic bricklaying for new and existing structures including residential homes, units and apartments.
On completion of the course, participants are connected with opportunities to transition into employment, undertake an apprenticeship with a participating employer, or further their training.
Job Ready programs ensure Western Australians — particularly First Nations people, young people, people looking for work or receiving income support, unpaid carers, people with disability, and women facing economic insecurity — can access affordable training to help them get into jobs.
Of the more than 2,530 people who have commenced Job Ready programs, over 1,125 participants have secured employment in the industry or gone on to further training, adding to the pipeline of skilled workers needed across a range of essential sectors.
To date, nearly 32 per cent of Job Ready participants are women, 29 per cent are aged under 25, 19 per cent are Aboriginal people, and 25 per cent undertook the training in regional WA.
You can register for the Bricklaying Job Ready program, and find out about other available Job Ready programs, on the Jobs and Skills WA website or call 08 6551 5049.
jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/pathways
For more information on fee-free and low-fee training, contact your nearest Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 or visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready.
Speaking today at North Metropolitan TAFE, Training Minister Simone McGurk, said, "Job Ready programs are fast, free entry-level courses that enable students to overcome cost barriers to training, allowing them to gain the skills they need to enter the workforce. The program includes additional wraparound support and on the job training, which has led to some fantastic outcomes for participants and employers – particularly in areas like bricklaying where we know there is a strong demand for workers."
