Miles Doing What Matters: Free Traineeships for the Next Gen of Ipswich Tradies

• New fund helping young Ipswich locals become tradies and build homes.
• Trainees will have full-time paid work, obtaining Certificate I in Construction and a White Card.
• Comes as Miles Government has $1 billion in social housing under construction and contracted and funded as part of Labor’s Homes for Queenslanders plan to build one million more homes.

Young Ipswich locals will build their careers and Home for Queenslanders as part of a new initiative by the Miles Government.

A new fund has been launched, which will see 15 young people gain a Certificate I in Construction and White Card as they work on housing projects.

Employed by community organisation Challenge Employment & Training, in partnership with QBuild, the trainees will complete a Certificate I in Construction while maintaining community facilities and social housing buildings, across Ipswich and surrounding areas.

The organisation will also deliver wrap-around support for trainees, which may include case management, mentoring, activities to develop employability, and adventure-based activities to build confidence and teamwork.

It’s part of the Miles Government’s Homes for Queenslanders plan, which is already seeing more than $1 billion in social housing projects either in construction or contracted.

The plan will deliver one million more homes, including 53,500 more social homes.

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundamba Minister Lance McCallum:

“These traineeships are more than just a job on our Big Build, they’re a lifeline for Queenslanders who need it most.

“Everyone deserves a fair go, and these sponsored traineeships open the door for vulnerable Ipswich locals to get their first start on the tools and take charge of their futures.

“The LNP don’t back these programs, in fact David Crisafulli and Campbell Newman cut it completely, so the workers who rely on this support should rightly be worried about their future.

“We can’t risk going backwards under the LNP.”

Quotes attributable to Challenge Employment & Training, CEO, Richard Lindner:

"Challenge Employment and Training is excited to be working collaboratively with the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, as well as QBuild Public Works, and the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning, and Public Works.

“Together, through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work traineeship program, we are creating a lasting impact within our community.

“This initiative not only equips our trainees with valuable new skills and opportunities, but also strengthens the local workforce by addressing critical construction needs.

“We are also incredibly proud of our dedicated trainees who will soon graduate with a Certificate I in Construction through the Work Skills Traineeships' ‘Build Ready - QBuild’ project.

“Their hard work and achievements reflect our shared commitment to building brighter futures for both individuals and our community as a whole."

Quotes attributable to current trainee Joshua T:

"The project is both informative and easy to follow, thanks to the clear instruction from our experienced trainer.

“We are learning valuable trade and construction skills, as well as industry tips that will be essential for our future careers and apprenticeships.

“Throughout the program, we’ve had the opportunity to use a wide variety of tools and techniques while working to maintain and upgrade the Rocklea Showgrounds."

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

• The Housing Construction Traineeship Fund – delivered under the existing Skilling Queenslanders for Work place-based framework – supports participants to be employed as entry-level trainees by experienced not-for-profit organisations and gain a Certificate I in Construction on-the-job, along with the General Construction Induction Training Card (White Card).
• The program is expected to bolster the residential construction workforce to deliver on targets under the Homes for Queenslanders Plan (HfQ).

For more information on the Housing Construction Traineeship Fund, please visit: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/community-orgs/sqw/wst-hctf.

Media contact:

Minister McCallum – Andrew Churchill 0472 645 871