QBuild apprenticeship program grows to 80

An additional 21 trade apprentices have joined the Queensland Government’s Rebuilding QBuild program, bringing the total number of apprentices to 80.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the rebuild of QBuild fundamentally means leading by example and skilling more Queenslanders for decent, secure jobs in construction.

“With our $45 billion building and construction industry booming right now, there’s never been a better time to invest in the future of young people and support them into trades,” Palaszczuk said.

“With this latest induction, we have now welcomed 40 apprentices under the Rebuilding QBuild initiative and 80 overall in the QBuild apprenticeship program.

“This is a significant milestone and one we are incredibly proud of.”

Public Works and Procurement Minister Mick de Brenni said skills and training was a key pillar of Queensland’s economic recovery plan.

“These trade apprenticeships are giving young Queenslanders the tools to take advantage of future job opportunities in electrical, carpentry, painting and plumbing, especially in the regions,” he said.

“It’s no coincidence that Queensland has recorded the strongest recovery in jobs over the past year, with more than six out of 10 full-time jobs created in Australia in February and the largest fall in unemployment in the nation.

“The Palaszczuk Government unashamedly backs skills, training and apprenticeship programs like this one because we know it means more jobs for Queenslanders.”

Toowoomba-based Julia Bell said she was inspired by her father, Trevor, to follow his footsteps and enter the electrical trade.

“Dad absolutely loves being a sparkie and when I saw the QBuild apprentice jobs advertised, I thought that it’s definitely worth a closer look,” Bell said.

“I’m just so excited to be working in a job with so many possibilities to chart my own career course.

“The electrical trade has so much to offer and I’m really looking forward to meeting the other QBuild apprentices and learning from qualified tradespeople.”

de Brenni said the QBuild apprenticeship program was surpassing female participation targets in the building and construction industry.

“In 2019, the Palaszczuk Government adopted the National Women in Construction Target of 11 per cent to get more Queensland women onto worksites,” he said.

“With another five female apprentices joining the team this week, QBuild now sits at 14 per cent, and it’s stories like Julia’s that will only see that number grow.

“Secure, well paid jobs should be jobs for everyone, and as a training ground for Queensland’s construction industry, QBuild has a big role to play in getting more women into hard-hat careers.”

Applications are open for another 39 qualified tradespeople to join QBuild with the next intake in May.

The State Government is also calling upon qualified refrigeration mechanics, carpenters, painters, plumbers and electricians to be mentors.

Social Share