Creating a job-ready generation: training Tasmanians to tap into the construction boom

The Hodgman Liberal Government’s number one priority is creating jobs and creating a job-ready generation.

We know that improving education, training and skills is vital to making sure that Tasmanians are ready to take on the challenges of joining the workforce.

The Government wants to see Tasmanians ready to take up job opportunities right around the State, but to do that they need the right skills.

We know that with the boom in building and construction there are job opportunities right now for Tasmanians in this growing sector.

TasTAFE, in collaboration with the Master Builders Association, is paving the way for up to 100 Tasmanians gain skills in the building and construction sector.

Funding provided by Skills Tasmania will enable TasTAFE to run training programs creating a pool of work-ready graduates for the Tasmanian construction industry.

A new two week program will start at the end of this month, which will begin to upskill Tasmanians who want to work in construction. It will teach workplace safety, traffic control and how to work safely at heights. Graduates will also learn how to use a range of carpentry power tools and will undergo asbestos awareness training.

The two week program will run in the south from Monday 30 November to Friday 11 December 2015 and the North West from Monday 7- Friday 18 December 2015.

This two week program will not only give participants the necessary skills to start work on a construction site straight away, it will also allow a clear pathway that flows through to completing a Certificate II qualification or a construction apprenticeship.

TasTAFE has planned to fill after Christmas four Certificate II courses in the south (two at TasTAFE’s Clarence campus, one at the Bridgewater Trade Training Centre and one at the Huon Trade Training Centre) to meet identified demand for 60 training positions.

Certificate II courses will commence early in the New Year in Burnie, Georgetown and Launceston, creating another 45 training positions.

TasTAFE is ready to run more Certificate II courses the moment these are filled.

The Government encourages all MBA members to support this initiative by accessing this pool of graduates.

The Government is working to make sure construction firms and contractors can meet their workforce capability requirements for projects currently underway in the South and impending developments in the North West such as the Devonport Living City $70 million stage 1 construction which is earmarked to commence early in 2016.

The Government will continue to work with the MBA to ensure their demand for workers in the future is met.

People interested in enrolling in the program announced today, or a Certificate II qualification can call 1300 655 307 to register.
Matthew Groom, Minister for State Growth