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The Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training Foundation

Objectives

The Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training Foundation Ltd (ABBTF) represents clay brick and concrete masonry manufacturers.  It was created to address the critical shortage of skilled bricklayers.  The purpose is to ensure there is an adequate and competent bricklaying and blocklaying workforce to support the demand for bricks and blocks as a construction material and improve the standing of bricklayers and blocklayers within the building industry.

The ABBTF is a Company Limited by Guarantee.  Annual Reports are available to download. 
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Funding

To address these issues ABBTF have implemented an apprenticeship scheme which is jointly funded by an industry contribution of $2 per thousand clay bricks or 10 cents per square meter in the wall for concrete masonry and a matching contribution from brick and block manufacturers.  The scheme applies across the following states: Victoria, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania. The scheme has been approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

How We Plan to Further Increase Numbers of Apprentices and Bricklayers

The strategies implemented to increase the number of apprentices and bricklayers include:

•    Promotion of the trade through schools and the community by presentations and visits to career teacher groups and careers events. Direct promotional support for TAFE’s and training organisations to increase training enrolments.  
•    Provide Step Out Programs to secondary school students. This 40 hour program provides students with hands on experience in bricklaying to enable young people to make an informed choice to commence an apprenticeship.
•    Support for students completing pre-apprenticeship training by fee payment or incentives on starting an apprenticeship.
•    Subsidise the cost of apprentice employment to bricklayers and builders.
•    Employer incentive payment for their apprentice achieving year level competencies to reduce attrition levels.
•    Mature age financial support is provided to employers or apprentices in some states.
•    Support up-skilling of existing bricklayers to gain skills and qualifications.

Each State has seen an increase in numbers entering pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training since the scheme commenced.
The scheme aims to achieve an increase in competent, skilled bricklayers which will reduce delays in building and construction and increase employment of young people in a skilled trade.

For further information Contact Us or call the ABBTF 1300 66 44 96


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VIC
Award Winning Project Starts Dominic's Career
One of the most magnificent brick projects in Australia is the award winning Mornington Centre, a hospital designed by Lyons Architects
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QLD
Mutasim Overcomes the Odds to Become a Bricklayer
Apprentice Mutasim Vahar is employed by Barry Skinner bricklaying as a direct indentured apprentice.  Mutasim, who is a refugee from Sudan, is a great example of determination to succeed.

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NSW
Nigel Croke - Gold Medal Winner in More Ways than One.
Nigel Croke, recent WorldSkills winner also wins Gold as a member of the NSW Indoor Hockey Team in the National titles.

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WA
WorldSkills Australia National Competition in Sydney.
The cream of Australia’s bricklaying apprentices converged on Sydney for the WorldSkills Australia National Competition at Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre.

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SA
A Real Career Path Success Story
Nick Bianco, owner of the Adelaide United Soccer Club and a major sponsor of Port Power, started his life as a brickie at 14 years of age.

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ACT
Lynne Sheffield a Trainer Making Her Mark
Bricklayer of 22 years and a qualified teacher of CITEA’s bricklaying trade programs, Lynne also runs a trade contracting business.
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Tas
Apprentice Numbers Grow
TAFE Tas enrollments growth at Hobart Campus is best for many years with 17 new students in 2007 and 38 in training by year end.
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