QBuild skills more Queensland apprentices for jobs

The Palaszczuk Government’s Rebuilding QBuild program continues to skill Queenslanders for the future with a further 21 trade apprentices joining the ranks of the government construction arm today. 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the latest intake of aspiring electricians, carpenters, plumbers and painters brings the number of QBuild apprentices to 80 across the state.

“The rebuild of QBuild fundamentally means leading by example and skilling more Queenslanders for decent, secure jobs in construction,” the Premier said.

“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.

“When we committed to resurrecting QBuild after years of LNP decimation – which saw 1,654 workers sacked – my Government set a target of bringing on 300 tradespeople, including 60 apprentices, over three years.

“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.”

Minister for Public Works and Procurement 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,” Julia 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.”

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

“We’re putting the call out to qualified refrigeration mechanics, carpenters, painters, plumbers and electricians right across Queensland,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Our apprentices need experienced mentors to show them the ropes, and that’s what we’re looking for in our qualified QBuild tradies.”

Anyone wishing to apply should go to smartjobs.qld.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact: Ben Brew 0468 839 551