News and Blogs
Apprentice of the Year 2013 – Nathan Introna
Wall & Ceiling Lining apprentice, Nathan Introna has been awarded FCTA – Building Careers Apprentice of the Year for 2013.
Merry Christmas! FCTA holiday opening times.
Merry Christmas! We will be closing for the holidays Friday 20th December from 12pm. The FCTA administration team will return on Monday 6th January. Training will recommence from Monday 13th January. If you need to contact us over the holidays, please call Trisch on...
COAG ditches national licensing scheme
First published 13th December 2013 Sydney Morning herald A country-wide licensing authority for a range of occupations including lawyers and real estate agents has been scrapped. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has agreed to scrap the National Occupation...
Waterproofing Balconies – some issues when tiling over balconies sheeted with James Hardies Scyon sheets.
Waterproofing issues can occur depending on what materials are used, and how a balcony is constructed. Ardex have supplied a technical guide for tilers waterproofing over the James Hardie branded, Scyon flooring sheets.
Payroll tax exemption for apprentices worth restoring, says SA Parliamentary committee
An SA Parliamentary committee found the tax exemption for apprentices previously delivered a $53 million benefit to business and restoring the tax break would help get apprentices and trainees into jobs.
Short Courses on Offer in 2014
FCTA - Building Careers has a range of short courses scheduled for 2014. Some of these courses are available at a discounted price to people currently working in the construction industry, via the CITB. The CITB co-funds these courses, prices listed will have a cost...
The most interesting article I’ve ever read about housing affordability & housing developments
There is an ongoing debate in Australia about housing affordability. We are told more houses need to be built to meet a shortage, but land prices are pushing first home buyers and many young people out of the market. So what are some of the causes and assumptions made about housing development?
Changes to Skills for All eligibility may affect people interested in completing Pre-Apprenticeship courses
Changes to Skills for All funding from 4/11/2013 mean students need to meet a narrower criteria to receive fully funded training in Certificate II level courses, commonly referred to as ‘Pre-Apprenticeship’ courses.
Apprentice model is costly but unreformed
it is difficult to comprehend the barriers that are being erected against the delivery of the skilled labour & apprenticeships that our businesses need.
Apprentice Pay Increase Information
Pay increases for new apprentices kick in from 01/01/2014. New apprentices will be paid on average an extra $45 – $145 per week extra. These increases do not apply straight away to existing apprentices. Employers thinking of employing an apprentice would be able to employ an apprentice under existing conditions if employed before 01/01/2014. Further, employers are now required to reimburse apprentices for trade school fees and material/ book costs.
Australian Standards – recent changes to ceramic tiling, proposed changes to insulation installation
An update on Australian Standards, and information on the changes to Ceramic Tiles, and the drafting of changes to the Installation of Thermal Insulation.
Dates set for 2014 Pre-Apprenticeship Cert II courses
Cert II Pre-apprenticeship course in Bricklaying, Tiling, Wall & Ceiling Lining, Solid Plastering, Concreting, Scaffolding. Skills for All funded in South Australia.
FCTA Feedback & Continuous Improvement
FCTA - Building Careers is committed to improving our level of service and processes. If you have any feedback on how we could improve our service, email us at info@fcta.com.au. Alternatively fill in our survey for confidential feedback...
Employers could be guilty of ‘Sham Contracting’ and not know it. Do you employ a sub-contractor under an ABN?
Fairwork Australia and the ATO are investigating instances of ‘Sham Contracting’ to find out if you are at risk, read our blog for more details.
Changes to Skills for All Eligibility for Training
The South Australian Government are making changes to Skills for All eligibility. These changes come into effect from 04/11/2013. To check your eligibility visit: http://www.skills.sa.gov.au/training-learning/check-your-eligibility
Sub-Contractors Licence course, now offered at FCTA
FCTA will be offering experienced tradies the chance to complete the 2 units required for a contractors licence. The SA government require people applying for their contractors licence, to complete a business finance and a legal applications course. These will be run...
Cert II Construction Pre-apprenticeship Course Commences 26th August 2013
Pre-apprenticeship Skills for All funded Cert II in Construction course starts 26th August 2013 in Holden Hill, South Australia.
Small Business Self-Assessment Checklist
The Office of Consumer & Business Services have put together a checklist for people to see what parts of Australian Consumer Law apply to them. This is a good resource for sub-contractors and tradies running their own businesses. Attached is the CHECKLIST, you can...
We’re Moving! FCTA will be located at 15 Jacobsen Crs Holden Hill from Monday July 8th 2013.
We will be moving to a location with better car parking and facilities from next Monday 08/07/2013. Our phone number will remain the same 0883675615.
Update to Incentives Paid to Employers
The most commonly asked question we get from employers is “what incentives are available if I put on an apprentice?” To help answer this we have compiled all the information we can find in one area, including links to the pages to check the latest details