We felt it’s high time to mention that the Become-a-Bricklayer national facebook page now has nearly 6000 fans following and contributing to discussions about joining the trade.  It’s no surprise that we’re attracting a lot more comment on activities on the facebook page than we do here at the blog, though we welcome your feedback on both, so don’t be shy.

Your feedback on the website and on the Facebook page are valuable to us in letting us know what you want and need to see covered by us, about taking on an apprenticeship.  We’d also like to know how you’re tracking with the apprenticeship – is it like you expected, what are the high’s and low’s and what else can we do to contribute to your success?

Working through your apprenticeship, like any career commitment, does have some great times and challenges and facebook is a place to share both and get reactions from more experienced apprentices and advice from the team at ABBTF (the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation) which puts together the Become-a-Bricklayer website and facebook page.

Facebook also allows us to have a bit of fun, picking up on some of the weird and wonderful social news that we think might interest you.

One of our most ‘Liked’ posts of recent months was when Cathy Ballenger of Botany NSW won the amateur US World’s Best Bricklayer Competition’. Other very popular posts have been on regional WorldSkills winners and bricklayers competing in international events.   This year we’ll also post on the other major national event for apprentice bricklayers, the bi-annual Golden Trowel, sponsored by ABBTF, as well as whatever hits the news in the industry

So, get on board, become a ‘fan’ and as they say ‘Like Us’ on facebook!

Had a chance to see some top quality blocklaying at Newcastle last month.  Twelve teams comprising two apprentices and their teacher from around the country battled it out to compete for the national Golden Trowel Award.  The teams had some initial setting out help from their TAFE teachers, and then it was up to them to complete the project in a day and a half.

The project was designed to fully test the skills of the apprentices as they raced against the clock to finish, at the same time striving to achieve the perfect job.

Congratulations go to the well-deserved winners - apprentices Dwayne Potter and Ian Cutmore from TAFE NSW North Coast Institute at Coffs Harbour.  Their teacher Paul Venn was also a key member of the team.

ABBTF was the major sponsor and the Golden Trowel DVD will soon be up on our website.  I’m looking forward to seeing this great event again in two years time.

The Golden Trowel attracts the best talent - I know past competitors have gone on to great careers in the industry.  This event was for them, the start of it all.  Would be good to hear from some previous winners!

Geoff Noble, Head Office, ABBTF