News and Blogs
Is cross-laminated timber a substitute for brick, concrete & steel?
All-timber apartments assembled like flat-packed furniture A material used in construction for centuries is making a comeback, as developers and builders take timber to new heights. Its worth noting that building with this material has been happening for much of the...
An apprentice carpenter, turned lawyer, turned politician writes about his experience in the trade
Students mustn’t ignore the trades Written by: ANDREW WALLACE, The Australian 12:31PM March 7, 2017 Right now, more than a million Australians, are returning to university to continue their studies. For those in their final year their minds will be turning to some...
Test and Tag Intervals: How often do I Test and Tag?
Most tradies will need to test & tag their equipment every 3 months. When understanding the test and tag intervals and how often an electrical appliance should be tested, the main underlying factor is the type of environment that appliance is located in. Just as...
Trade versus university: a breakdown of employability, costs and earning potential
School leavers interested in learning a trade but dissuaded by society’s bias toward university are encouraged to genuinely compare the two options. When it comes to employability, cost and earning potential, a trade option often can come out on top. NECA Electrical...
Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia’s most expensive building, set to open
Australia’s most expensive building, and the third most costly in the world, is a step closer to finally being opened after the South Australian government and a building consortium reached an out-of-court agreement. The new Royal Adelaide Hospital The new $2.3...
Junior Apprentice Bricklayers Wanted!
If you are interested in becoming a bricklayer, call us on 8367 5615. We have employers seeking apprentices. The requirements are: under 21 years old have drivers license and car reliable with the ability to follow instructions either have some experience or have...
Pre-Apprenticeship Course – New Dates Offered!
Our popular Pre-apprenticeship course, just got better! We are now able to offer the course on the following dates: 28/02/2017 – 05/05/2017 28/03/2017 – 02/06/2017 26/04/3017 – 30/06/2017 8am – 3:30pm Tuesday – Friday for 10 weeks at 15 Jacobsen Crs, Holden Hill....
The Government Issues Media Releases About Unlicensed Builders
The Office of Consumer and Business Services has released the following articles about unlicensed builders. They 'named names'. To become licensed visit the CBS.sa.gov.au website. $11,000 fine for working unlicensed An unlicensed builder who accepted substantial...
Waterproofing Refresher Course – Review of Australian Standard, Building Code and System Demonstrations
By popular demand we have developed a short 3 hour course in Waterproofing. Our first course will be on Tuesday 28th February 2017 from 5pm - 8pm for $100. This is a classroom based course that will cover: Building Code requirements Complete review of AS3740 and...
Looking for an apprenticeship? Next Pre-apprentice course starts 7th February
We currently have Bricklayers and Tilers looking to hire apprentices. They are after 'work ready' apprentices, people who have some basic skills and are aware of what working in the building industry is like. The Certificate II in Construction (CPC20112) is an...
The security of payments for subcontractors in the building and construction sector are again in the spotlight
WA builder BuiltonCorp collapses with more than $16 million in debts, as subcontractor payments remain in the spotlight The security of payments for subcontractors in the building and construction sector are again in the spotlight after Western Australian builder...
The Latest Government Incentive Payments For Hiring New Employees
South Australian businesses can now register for two types of Job Accelerator Grants to assist with employing additional full-time, part-time and casual employees, with grants between $10 000 and $4,000 for every new job created. The grant aims to create jobs now and...
Waterproofing Balconies & Terraces – Supplier Technical Resources
We frequently have tilers contact us with questions about waterproofing, especially when it comes to balconies. The current training packages that apprentices complete don't offer enough information on balconies, but focus on internal wet areas instead. FCTA has...
Tiling: Are linear drains right for your residential project?
To call linear drains a ‘recent trend’ would be a misnomer. The product has been used in Europe and Australia for decades, yet it continues to generate sustained interest within design and build circles. Also known as trench or channel drains, linear drains differ...
Why Bad “Leaky” Housing Designs Costs Everyone
Australia's homes are notoriously "leaky" — allowing the uncontrolled flow of heat into and out of the building. Our answer has been to put in more and more pumps, in the form of air conditioning. This is often promoted as a feature, rather than an indication of a...
Victoria is facing a crisis of faulty, dangerous and leaking buildings comparable to the scourge of asbestos, could Adelaide be the same?
Victoria is facing a crisis of faulty, dangerous and leaking buildings that experts warn is comparable in scale to the historical scourge of asbestos. Many new buildings in Victoria are not being built to last. Photo: Pat ScalaShoddy materials and poor workmanship...
Christmas Closing Times & January 2017 Course Dates
FCTA - Building Careers will be closed from 12pm Friday 23rd December 2016, and will reopen Monday 9th January 2017. If you have any queries during this period, please email [email protected] or call 83675615 to leave a message. Apprentices are welcome to attend from...
Adelaide’s tallest building receives green light for 2017 start
Construction on what will become Adelaide’s tallest building is set to commence in the new year. Approved by the Development Assessment Commission last week, the 34-storey, 134-metre-high skyscraper designed by Brown Falconer Architects will be two metres taller than...
Certificate II in Construction CPC20112 Pre-Apprenticeship Courses for 2017
Looking for an apprenticeship? Employers actively seek people who have completed are pre-apprenticeship course, or who are currently enrolled. We have employers calling asking for students to recommend. The Certificate II in Construction provides an introduction to a...
Large construction companies that don’t pay subcontractors will be banned from applying for government work, under beefed-up laws in WA
Complaints about late and non-payments to subcontractors have been rampant in WA’s building industry, with the troubled new Perth children’s hospital a notable example this year with head contractor John Holland accused of ripping off small businesses. A new code of...