Concerns have emerged that recent falls in Apprenticeship commencements across Australia will lead to a shortage of qualified bricklayers, in three to four years. The Industry has responded quickly with a “Brickstart Bonus’ incentive to encourage bricklayers to put on bricklaying apprentices in the immediate future.  $1000 is being offered to each employer who takes on a new apprentice between 2 January and 30 April this year to help encourage sign-ups.  So far, interest has been very encouraging with many enquiries on the offer.

Above: “Michael D’Agostino from ABBTF on site making bricklayers aware of the new Brickstart Bonus.”

Bricklaying Apprenticeship commencements fell dramatically in the last 12 months - by more than 30%, on average.  The reason for the drop has been the reduced level of building activity and the consequential discouragement amongst bricklaying contractors about ongoing work opportunities.  However, there is a very concerning direct relationship between apprenticeship starts and the supply of qualified bricklayers 3 to 4 years out.  The issue is heightened in the bricklaying industry where even when housing demand is steady, qualified bricklayers are often in under supply.  In three or four years’ time construction activity is likely to be very busy, creating a skill shortage at the top of the cycle unless new apprenticeships increase significantly.

The payment will be made to employers after the completion of the apprentice’s first year. The highest attrition rate from all apprenticeships occurs in the first year of training and making the payment at this time encourages the employer to do all he can to ensure his apprentice continues into his or her second year.  Bricklayers already receive other generous subsidies to encourage them to train apprentices:  these are the current ABBTF subsidy of $4,000 ($3,000 in South Australia), the Federal Government’s $4,000 and incentives from State based construction industry training funds. Further information on all incentives can be found at this website and the ABBTF website.

ABBTF’s Brickstart Bonus is a great additional initiative but only goes part of the way to encourage new apprentice sign-ups. Governments need to do more to assist, such as matching our offer.  Lower interest rates to encourage better housing starts would also give the industry the confidence to improve its training commitments.

Geoff Noble, General Manager, ABBTF

We are getting feedback from industry on the benefits of training off the job.

We have seen a more flexible approach to training in recent years with a better blend of on-site and off-site training and assessment.  This has been welcomed as skills gained in a building and construction environment can be recognised by assessors on-site and therefore reduce the time an apprentice spends off the job.

We have also seen that attendance at an off-site training facility provides other valuable aspects of training.  Apprentices have access to a number of skilled and qualified bricklayer trainers.  They also benefit from learning in a team and can relate to other apprentices in their year level or higher.

Off-site training also has the advantage of protection from the weather so there are never disruptions or delays to the training.  In many cases there is also flexibility in providing training for apprentices during inclement weather.

Training facilities at TAFE or other Registered Training Organisations also provide extensive equipment, floor space and a range of concrete masonry and clay products to improve skills on more complex projects required as part of decorative face brickwork.  If you’re not familiar with the names and locations of TAFE’s and RTO’s, check Locations in Your State Directory here at the website.

In many training centres, state of the art class rooms make it easier for apprentices to gain the necessary knowledge on bricklaying.  This is the best learning environment for the theory content of the course.  To compliment this, some RTO’s now also offer online training and assessment systems.

Employers appreciate that off-site training shares the load of training their apprentices, giving them more productive time on the job, a more well-grounded apprentice and therefore, financially a better outcome than achieved using onsite assessment.

If you have a query on this or other aspects of how an apprenticeship in bricklaying works, reply to this blog by clicking ‘Comment’ just under the title of this blog.  Cheers.

Geoff Noble
General Manager, ABBTF
16 March 2012

 Australia Day marks the first European settlement in Australia with the arrival of The First Fleet  on 26 January 1788.  Aboard the flotilla was just one bricklayer amongst 700 convicts: James Bloodsworth.  The ships also carried provisions of just 5,000 bricks and 12 wooden moulds for making bricks in the new Colony.

“Picture sourced from the State Library of New South Wales.”

James Bloodsworth started brick making for the Colony in March 1788 at Cockle Bay, near Darling Harbour, where he located good quantities of clay.  Finding a good source of limestone for the making of mortar proved more difficult and for the first Government House the lime was made from oyster shells.  Some of these bricks still exist (at Sydney’s Mitchell Library) from that first building demolished 57 years later.  He was outstanding in his training of teams of convicts in the art of brick making, bricklaying and building and was responsible for building all of the early buildings of importance in Sydney. 

The oldest existing building in Australia is Elizabeth Farm at Parramatta, home of John and Elizabeth Macarthur.  Completed in 1794, this long, low brick building with a steeply pitched shingled roof is the archetypal Australian farmhouse.

James was a London bricklayer with knowledge of brickmaking.  He is reported to have been convicted of forgery.  He had completed three years of a seven year sentence before his journey on The First Fleet.

In recognition of his efforts and contribution towards establishing a settlement in Sydney, James was pardoned and given 50 acres of land.  Previously he was variously offered a return passage to England and offered senior roles in Port Phillip and Derwent but he loved Sydney and remained there til his death in 1804 from pneumonia. When he died at 45 years, he was given the equivalent of a State funeral with military honours and records show he was a highly respected person of the Colony, despite his status on arrival and his relatively short life in the Colonies - 16 years.  Interestingly, the Sydney Gazette, reporting his death at the time chose only to state of his English background that he ‘came to the Colony among its first inhabitants in 1788’.  Quite a success story!  Check out some more recent successes HERE. 

Geoff Noble

General Manager, ABBTF

Looking back on last year, 2011 has been a very successful year in terms of the number of Apprenticeships currently in place in bricklaying and blocklaying.   ABBTF continued its strong support for apprentice training and employment with more than 2,000 apprentices across the country attracting subsidies for their employers and gaining training and skills for their future freedom.

ABBTF is committed to continue the program to ensure the brick and block laying workforce has the skills to install clay bricks and concrete masonry to the highest standard.

From industry feedback, we know the support makes a difference and is often one of the reasons why apprentices are signed on and retained until the completion of their training.

The downturn in building and construction has made it tough for many contractors to secure future work and maintain their apprentices.  However, bricklayers who have fared better are those who have put the training into their apprentice to make them a productive member of their gang.

It’s not hard to see evidence of great examples of young apprentices gaining skills, growing in their role and showing the maturity and initiative to be fine examples of confident bricklayers for the industry.  Just look at examples in the State ‘Aussie Bricklaying Newsletter’ and other success stories at this website.  I’d love to hear your industry success story, or any feedback in comments to my blog.

We look forward to many more young people making their way in the building and construction industry through a Bricklaying Apprenticeship - with the support of their employers and ABBTF.

Geoff Noble

Head Office, ABBTF