With all the talk of the mining boom, the federal government has released some interesting new figures to put the mining industry in perspective with other industries. In Australia, the construction industry employs over 1 million workers.  It’s one of the three largest employing industries along with retail and healthcare.  At FCTA (a leading Registered Training Organisation in SA) we have many students talking about getting in on the mining boom.  For some, this is a great opportunity, for others it means long working hours, time spent away from family and friends and increased rates of violence, gambling and drinking problems.  More information about the 'dark side' of the mining boom can be found in these articles from The Australian, WA Today, & The Queensland University of Technology website.

In contrast, the construction industry offers many people the ability to become their own boss, and manage their work around their family and social priorities. Over the five years to November 2011, employment in Construction increased by 10.7% (or 100,700). This growth was mainly driven by Construction Services (up by 47,500) and Building Construction (21,700). Construction employment is expected to rise by 131,200 (or 12.6%) over the next five years, with most new jobs expected to continue to be created in Construction Services.  Compare industries’ Expected Growth Rates to 2016-17 and Employment Numbers in these downloads.  For a full review of employment prospects in various industries in the next few years, download the new DEEWR report, Australian Jobs 2012. 

For people interested in working in the construction industry, FCTA - Building Careers in South Australia has pre-apprenticeship courses, including bricklaying, commencing July 30th and October 15th.

Trisch Baff, Marketing & Project Manager,
FCTA – Building Careers

When you first start work, one of the best things that can happen is to find you have a really great boss. Now sometimes, there’s little chance to evaluate who you’ll be working for, but with a bricklaying apprenticeship, you might be able to get useful background through a few direct questions to your possible employer, plus, some subtle enquiries to others. I’ve compiled a ‘wish list’ of things that are good to know about your prospective employer,
because in my role in WA I help hook-up a lot of new bricklaying apprentices with employers. Here’s the list – see what you can suss out in discussions, when the opportunity arises:

Does your prospective employer:

1. Give clear instructions?….because you want to get things right the 1st time
2. Assist apprentices to get on the trowel early?…good for your learning and his business
3. Understand the training requirements?….keep your skills level growing
4. Know when an apprentice is due for TAFE/RTO training?….so you’re both prepared for change
5. Develop a relationship with the TAFE/RTO?….provide and obtain feedback
6. Assist apprentices with travel should they require it?….it’s harder to get a licence these days
7. Comply with the award? ….as a minimum!
8. Act as a role model and a leader?….important for your development
9. Encourage apprenticeship completion?….take pride in what you are achieving
10. Make contact with the appropriate authorities and ABBTF if you have problems? ...there is a solution to every problem!
11. Maintain a strong focus on Occupational Health & Safety standards…..this is essential for a good business and your personal care.

There are lots of things you can ask about depending on what matters most to you. But it’s fair to say that most of us want the following from a job: to have positive relationships with work mates, interesting work and continuous opportunities for learning. On this website you’ll read a lot more about bricklaying which may suggest other questions to ask.

It’s also important you understand that bricklayers generally only get paid by the volume of bricks they lay. They don’t get paid by how much mud they mix or any other task. So as an apprentice you need to understand that ‘no productivity’ means ‘no payment’. It’s in your interest to learn quickly and get on the trowel as early as possible, to be a real contributor to the business. Good luck with the discussions – send me a comment by reply to this blog and let me know what you think of this list, you might have additions to give me.