News, Views and Updates

View the latest updates and information from FTA.

Jul 08

Apprenticeship Incentive Scheme in Australia

The Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System will provide financial support to eligible employers in priority occupations from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2024. Priority occupations are those on the Australian Apprenticeships Priorities List. There will be a Hiring Incentive for businesses that hire apprentices to train for jobs that aren't on the Australian Government's... read more →
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apprentice advance plus

Apprenticeship Plus – Funded Short Courses!

Employers, Apprentices and Trainees take advantage and up-skill with a fully-funded short course or higher level skill! CSQ funding provides the Queensland building and construction industry with skilling opportunities and insights for a stronger and more sustainable future, so why not take the opportunity to gain additional skills and be... read more →
Aug 04
Jun 18
Jun 11

21 Tradie Tax Deductions!

There are a great many tradie tax deductions you may be entitled to claim on your tax return. Unfortunately, a good number of tradies miss out on hundreds of them every year. This leaves their hard-earned cash in the pockets of the ATO and that’s plain crazy! If you work in construction, building, horticulture, civil... read more →
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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 →
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Nov 20

NEW Bunnings PowerPass for Apprentices

Foundation Training Australia is proud to present the Bunnings PowerPass card to our Apprentices If you’re not excited yet, you’re about to be! The Bunnings PowerPass card has in previous years only been offered to Bunnings Trade Account holders aka. you’re Boss. While we’re sure you’ve seen them flash their... 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 →
Nov 04
Nov 04

The 45-hour house build

Robots 3D Printing Houses and what it means for the construction industry Robots 3D Printing Houses , have you ever heard of such a thing? It would seem that 3D printing is making the impossible, possible. While this might feel like a concept of the future, in reality the future... read more →
Oct 11

North West Queensland Civil Work Soars

A 151% increase in general construction activity has been reported in parts of North West Queensland. As demand for skilled civil construction workers, plant operators and concreters increases, now is the time to get qualified. “North West Queensland is projected to deliver an estimated $575M in construction activity over the... 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 11

Trade Apprenticeships Queensland

An Australian History of the Tradie The Tradie is quintessentially Australian. Starting their day at the crack of dawn, these true-blue Aussies are as hardworking as they come. The modern Tradie makes up almost a third of our workforce, from Brickies to Chippies and trusty Sparkies, these guys are well-educated... read more →
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Jun 20

Student Q&A: Nicholas

We sat down with Nicholas, a  RII40715 Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision student. Here’s what he had to say! You guys are legends. Heather, Grant and everyone I’ve spoken to are so helpful. You guys have a can-do attitude - whatever the hurdles, there’s always a way around it. Just hearing... read more →
May 17
May 06
Foundation Training Australia

Our Story

Foundation Training Australia No business is a business without the people that run it, own it and keep it evolving. So, let us start at the beginning. Heather Gardner, CEO of Foundation Training Australia, is an inspiring business woman having forged a very successfully career in business, construction, property and... read more →
Apr 24

How to grow your business

3 hard and fast rules for builders, tradies and construction businesses Figuring out what direction you want your business to take can be a tough one. It’s often a case of too many options and not enough clarity. Whether you’re an Apprentice thinking about your next move or a Tradie... read more →
Apr 22
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Apr 15
Hands on learning

Ways to study

Trade school, vocational education, higher education - whichever term is most relevant to you – all offer different ways to study. Unlike university, there is no one way suits all and, THAT is what we love about vocational training. So, how do you like to learn? Here is just a... read more →
Apr 12
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Mar 07
Grit and perseverance is key to success

Grit as a predictor of success

What is grit? Grit means having a long-term goal and being committed to reaching that goal, even when there are road blocks. It also means not giving up in the face of failure, and bouncing back when things don’t go as planned. Grit is a combination of passion and perseverance... read more →
Mar 06
Stop trading time for money

Money Mindset

Why you need to be thinking differently about your job For the business savvy, the serial entrepreneurs; and everyone who works the 9 to 5 - it’s time to stop viewing work as trading time for money. Long gone are the days where work is just a job and a... read more →
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Dec 17
Starting an apprenticeship to get qualified

Confidence is King

Meet Nicholas! A Tiling apprentice who successfully completed the AHC30916 Certificate III in Landscape Construction this year with Foundation Training Australia. How often have you come across Employers that say, it’s great that your keen but you need experience or, your experience helps but you really need to get the... read more →
Nov 26
Nov 20
Lady Tradie - landscape construction graduate

Lady tradie killing it

Meet Kelsie Holland. She successfully completed the Certificate III in Landscape Construction (AHC30916) with FTA this year. Kelsie came to us with a goal to learn new skills and get a qualification under her belt.  She knew that the construction industry was where she wanted to be and getting her... read more →
Nov 16
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Nov 16
How to succeed in business

How to succeed in business

The 4 step process every successful Business Owner has used The one thing every business owner has in common is the number of hours in a day. We often hear someone declare, somewhat despairingly; “If only I had more time!” The term ‘time management’ is frequently thrown around, yet the... read more →
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Oct 29
Construction investment - Building Better Regions Fund

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 29

FashionAble 2018, a celebration of people

Foundation Training Australia supports Australian charity event, FashionAble On Saturday 27th October 2018, Muticap’s annual event FashionAble kicked off with flare.  A fashion parade with a difference, FashionAble gives people with disability a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Models paraded the runway wearing some of Australia’s leading designers, newest ready... read more →
Oct 17
Oct 17
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 →
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Aug 08
Why construction training matters

Why construction training matters

If you were given the choice between two different plant operators—one was qualified, the other not—which one would you choose? But, what if there was no “up-front” cost for the untrained construction operator? You still wouldn’t do it? Yet, many business owners do not recognise the importance of employee training. Most... read more →
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