Building Management and Works' Industry Training Program has been in operation since 2006. The Industry Training Program is a small but strategically important State Government project by which BMW plays its part in training skilled tradespeople to address the skill shortage in the building and construction industry.
The program focuses on attracting and retaining apprentices and trainees to the building and construction industry as a career. It oversees quality training and manages apprentices to trade completion by deploying them on government construction and maintenance projects.
The apprentices and trainees are indentured and employed by group training organisations that assist in monitoring and working with each participant to undertake their specific trade. Currently the Industry Training Unit has partnerships with six Group Training Organisations and one Registered Training Organisation across WA. BMW contractors and subcontractors provide on the job training and daily supervision, an essential element of trade training. In return, BMW has developed a “shared cost model” which shares the financial cost of the apprentice with the host contractor. This model recognises the cost versus the benefit of an apprentice to contractors throughout the term of the apprenticeship.
As at October 2009 the Industry Training Program has 228 trainees and apprentices in various stages of completion and in a mix of trades. BMW currently offers support in nine different trades and these are:
- Electrical
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Plumbing and Gasfitting
- Glazing and Bevelling
- Refrigeration Mechanical
- Painting and Decorating
- Tiling
- Plastering, and
- Bricklaying
In addition to standard apprenticeship training, apprentices will have access to training in such courses as self-employment and business management, first aid and other courses relevant to their chosen trade, in order to equip them to become the next generation of industry leaders.
Government has a social responsibility and an obligation to assist in broader social welfare goals to address disadvantage and inequity in the wider community. It is with this in mind that the Industry Training Program has included targets of recruiting 30 percent Indigenous and 10 percent female apprentices and trainees as well as ensuring that there is a balance between the metro and regions.
The program has trainees and apprentices located throughout the State as can be seen below:
In addition it is intended to increase the proportion of harder to engage and “at risk” participants. Not only can BMW offer opportunities for individuals to gain trade qualifications that will provide them with an income source for the rest of their lives, but by also having a focus on harder to engage and “at risk” individuals, BMW can also contribute to breaking cycles of poverty and recidivism.
The Industry Training Program is a highly effective initiative that recently celebrated its first group of graduates in 2009.
For further information about the DTF Industry Training Program please contact:
Industry Training Unit
Department of Treasury and Finance
Building Management & Works
6th Floor, Adelaide House
200 Adelaide Tce
PERTH WA 6000
Ph: (08) 9488 2708
Or via email to apprenticeships@bmw.wa.gov.au
- Master Builders Association Awards
- First Industry Training Unit apprentices graduate
- BMW’s Industry Training Unit – Finalists for the Premiers Awards
- Minister's Visit to Fairbridge More on Fairbridge
- Indigenous Training Program Begins (article by Michelle Hammond reproduced courtesy of North West Telegraph)
