Industry News and Updates

Aug 04

Am I essential? Double-check here! (SEQ)

South East Queensland has been thrown into another lockdown over the weekend with the comment made this is the strictest lockdown we’ve had. A lot of people are unsure if they are meant to stay open and go to work so we’ve taken the list and removed the fluff. YOU... read more →

August 4, 2021
Danielle Leslie
5 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

Jun 18

Wage Increases for Construction Industry Coming this July!

Minimum wages in the construction industry modern awards are increasing by 2.5% starting from the first full pay period on or after July 1 2021. These awards include Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020’ Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020 Joinery and... read more →

June 18, 2021
Danielle Leslie
5 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

Jun 08

Let’s Talk About Safety!

The safety of your employees at work is at the forefront of all organizations minds. With Queensland being the first state to introduce the industrial manslaughter law to the resources industry in 2020, it is clear the Queensland government stands firmly on the strict consequences of poor management when it... read more →

June 8, 2021
Danielle Leslie
5 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

May 27

Beekeeping on the international stage

A new Women in Beekeeping entrepreneurship programme has been launched by UNESCO and Guerlain. Focusing on local and native bees, their welfare and maintenance, as well as education on bees. The program aims to enable women’s empowerment through an expertise-driven, sustainable professional activity. It also aims to contribute to raising... read more →

May 27, 2021
Danielle Leslie
2 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

May 19

Record Budget Investment for Infrastructure 2021-22!

The investment in infrastructure budget breakdown, here are the facts! A record investment in infrastructure has been introduced as part of the 2021-22 Budget, with a goal to support and secure jobs, drive growth and help rebuild Australia’s economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. This $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline forms... read more →

May 19, 2021
Danielle Leslie
5 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

May 13

BAC is BACK! – Get up to 50% of a new apprentice wages paid

The Australian Government is providing support to all eligible employers who engage a new Australian Apprentice. The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy supports any business or Group Training Organisation that engages an Australian Apprentice between the 5th of October 2020 and 31st March 2022 may be eligible for a subsidy... read more →

May 13, 2021
Danielle Leslie
5 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

Apr 27

Sustainable Infrastructure, What is it and why is it important?

Sustainability is at the forefront of everyone’s mind these days, as we become increasingly aware of the way we live and how we do things can have an influence and impact on the world we live in. ‘Sustainable infrastructure refers to the network and system, equipment and assets designed to... read more →

April 27, 2021
Danielle Leslie
5 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

Aug 04

Queensland invests $200M into Building Acceleration Fund

The Queensland Government has unveiled a $200 million catalytic infrastructure initiative, the Building Acceleration Fund, to help recover economically and create jobs. The Building Acceleration Fund will work in partnership with councils, property developers and industry to accelerate projects that unlock development, increasing construction activity and supporting long-term jobs. Treasurer... read more →

August 4, 2020
Laura Zuber
5 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

Aug 04

Construction investment - Building Better Regions Fund

JobTrainer Skills Package for Economic Recovery and Growth

$2 billion will be invested by the government to give hundreds of thousands of Australians access to new skills by retraining and upskilling them into sectors with job opportunities, as the economy recovers from COVID-19. The JobTrainer skills package will also guarantee support for thousands of apprentices in jobs across... read more →

August 4, 2020
Laura Zuber
5 min. to read, Apprenticeships, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

Jul 21

Government announces $2.5 billion package to support training and apprenticeships

The government has announced $2 billion – to be augmented by another $500 million from the states – for a skills package to boost training and job creation. A $1 billion JobTrainer program will provide training or re-skilling for up to 340,700 school leavers and job seekers. Places for courses... read more →

July 21, 2020
Laura Zuber
5 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

Jun 30

A Quick Guide to Becoming a Construction Project Manager

Who is the first person construction team members go to when they have a problem? Right. The Project Manager. But handling the team’s questions and concerns is only a small part of a construction Project Manager’s duties. Broadly speaking, a PM takes the construction project from A to Z. You... read more →

June 30, 2020
Laura Zuber
5 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update, News

Jun 18

Civil Construction skills to be listed as essential

The Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) has called for civil construction skills to be listed as essential on the Federal Government’s National Skills Needs List to help the sector attract new workers and upskill the existing workforce. CCF National Chief Executive Officer Chris Melham said by updating the list with the... read more →

June 18, 2020
Laura Zuber
10 min. to read, 3 min. to read, FTA Blog, Industry Update

May 27

Hiring an apprentice - building and contruction

Trades and construction needed to prop up Covid economy

Peak construction groups from across Australia are calling for renewed stimulus packages to prop up the hard hit property sector which has contracted sharply in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) has proposed a $66 billion action plan which it says will galvanise building... read more →

Mar 26

Online and Action Ready!

We are a family, we are strong, and together we can conquer this. CONSTRUCTION IS ESSENTIAL AND WILL REMAIN IN FULL OPERATION - IT'S YOUR TIME TO BE A PART OF IT It isn’t a train at the end of the tunnel – it’s definitely... read more →

Mar 18

Queensland's construciton industry on high alert

Keep Calm and Carry On!

Coronavirus has plunged the world into uncertainty and the constant news about the pandemic can feel relentless. All of this is taking its toll on people's mental health, work schedules, finances and personal connections. Being at home sounds like a great way to set your own schedule, do whatever you... read more →

Nov 05

“Free apprenticeships for under 21s” reports the Queensland Government

Have you heard the latest radio announcements? TV ads and articles about Apprenticeships for under 21s? The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training’s latest campaigns are spruking “Free apprenticeships for under 21s.”1* The Palaszczuk Government is backing business and giving young Queenslanders access to gain a Nationally Recognised Qualification... read more →

Oct 11

Queensland’s major projects pipeline

$41.3 Billion project pipeline. 5 years. Supporting 11,900 workers on average each year.[1] Statistics from the 2019 Queensland Major Projects Pipeline report. The Queensland Major Project Pipeline report has been released by BIS Oxford Economics, Queensland Major Contractors Association and Infrastructure Association of Queensland. The report is a definitive guide... read more →

Oct 10

Gold Coast Tradies told to prepare for work demand

The Gold Coast’s construction scene is looking pretty healthy with an estimated $5.5 billion in construction activity projected over the next 12 months.[1] 200 construction projects have already been confirmed for delivery over the next 2-3 years and gives Tradies strong positivity for continued demand providing for the industry. [1]... read more →

Jun 24

Incentives for Apprentices and Employers to increase 1 July 2019

The Federal Government has announced a commitment of over $525 million in a bid to boost Apprentices in skills shortage occupations and ensure Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector delivers real and future-focussed results. These results are critical to the economy. This investment in vocational training comes with a... read more →

Jan 29

Promising Job outlook for skilled Trades in 2019

Trade skills in demand Recruitment company, Hays, has released their Hotspots of skills in demand: Jan – June 2019 report and there’s smiles all round in the building and construction industry. As mentioned in our last blog, Infrastructure development has boosted the job market across the Nation and South-East QLD... read more →

Jan 29

Considering starting an apprenticeship program

Apprenticeship programs a major focus for 2019

The Queensland Government has entrusted $495,000 to four Australian organisations in an effort to boost the number of Apprentices across the state. Traineeship and Apprenticeship programs provide a foot in the door for longstanding careers in the industry and they are critical for growing a skilled workforce into the future.... read more →

January 29, 2019
Nicole Ashton-Brooks
2 min. to read, Apprenticeships, Industry Update

Jan 29

Infrastrucutre investment creates more construction jobs

Positive sentiment for construction jobs in 2019

Australia’s booming civil infrastructure sector is expected to create plenty of building and construction jobs in the first half of 2019, according to Hays Recruitment company. The Federal Government has promised $75 billion for transport infrastructure, as one of the major drivers behind the industries demand. Notwithstanding, the nation’s growing... read more →

Jan 29

Queensland’s construction industry set for more change in 2019

Could cracks in Sydney’s Opal Tower be a forewarning of times to come? Less than 6 months after residents of the Opal Tower moved in, the building started showing cracks on the 10th floor. Engineers have since ruled out issues with the prefabricated concrete panels and now fingers are pointing... read more →

Jan 11

No more online white card courses

Changes to the general construction course (QLD White Card) effective 1 February 2019 Amidst industry concerns for the quality of general construction induction courses, The Queensland State Government has introduced changes to the QLD White Card course delivery from 1 February 2019. Given the course is a requirement for anyone... read more →

Nov 07

Apprentice wage subsidy for employers

The minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Michael Cash, has announced support for rural and regional businesses with an Apprentice wage subsidy trial starting 1 January 2019. What is the Australian Apprentice Wage subsidy? By offering financial support to employers, the Australian Apprentice Wage subsidy aims... read more →

November 7, 2018
Nicole Ashton-Brooks
4 min. to read, Apprenticeships, Industry Update, News

Oct 29

Building Better Regions Fund

$200 Million Fund Committed to Infrastructure Development, Now Open The Australian Government has committed $200million in the 2018-19 budget for round three of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF)1. The BBRF aims to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities through infrastructure investment. The fund invests in... read more →

Oct 17

Queensland’s New Regulations Targeting Combustible Cladding

Industry Update The Queensland government has made amendments to the Building Regulation 2006 (The Building and Other Legislation (Cladding) Amendment Regulation 2018 (QLD)). The new laws came into effect in Queensland from 1 October 2018, which now require building owners to register their building and complete a combustible cladding checklist.... read more →

Oct 17

Building Boom Creates More Construction Jobs

Australia’s building boom is no secret and as the latest figures show employment in the industry has reached yet another high. Over the last four years, the industry has seen 156,000 construction jobs added to its headcount.1 No mean feat when you compare this to other industries. In fact, the... read more →

Industry News and Updates

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