QBUILD APPRENTICESHIPS: APPLY ONLINE

QBuild has been given approval to employ 100 apprentices and trainees in its 2007 intake. Prospective apprentices will soon be able to apply online for a QBuild apprenticeship, Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology Robert Schwarten said today.

“Applying online is a new way of encouraging young people to apply, especially those in remote and regional areas of Queensland,” Mr Schwarten said.

To complete an application form online, visit www.qbuild.qld.gov.au.

Included in the intake will be 76 building and engineering apprentices, 11 graduating school-based apprentices, 10 Indigenous apprentices and three construction worker trainees.

Apprenticeships and traineeships will be allocated to nine different trades in QBuild regions.

“It’s a noble calling to create things with your hands, and the rewards in our society for tradespersons have never been greater. I urge young people to throw their hat into the ring for this opportunity,” Mr Schwarten said.

“You can join the trades of carpentry, shop fitting, plumbing, fitting and turning, electrical mechanics, painting, glazing and stonemasonry.

“As part of the 2006 apprenticeship and traineeship intake, we had nearly 1550 applications, so people are responding positively to the call,” he said.

Mr Schwarten said hard-copy application forms for school-based apprenticeships had already been circulated to various schools throughout Queensland.

“This year we made an early approach to schools to encourage students to consider QBuild as their employer of choice before the end of the school year,” he said.

Applications close on Friday 1 December.

Media Contacts: David Shankey 32371184

November 23, 2007