The post New – Certificate III in Heritage Trade Skills (11368NAT) Commencing 10th March 2026 first appeared on FCTA Trade School Adelaide RTO#40057.

Cost: $3500    $0 for eligible apprentices* (*participant eligibility criteria apply)

FCTA is pleased to announce it is now offering Fee-Free Vocational Training in CPC33020 Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying to anybody looking to complete the training component of their apprenticeship.

We are now accepting enrolments from prospective apprentices in South Australia looking to upskill or pursue a rewarding career in the ever-expanding and in-demand bricklaying industry.

To help address demand across South Australia, we are now offering:

• 25 free training places for metro students
• 5 free training places for regional students

To be eligible for Fee-Free Vocational Training with FCTA students must, at the time of enrolment, be:

• An active full-time or part-time apprentice in South Australia with an approved Training Contract
• Between 17 – 24 years of age
• Not enrolled in school
• An Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent Australian resident or an eligible visa holder
• Not currently enrolled in the same course with another training provider

Applicants must also meet language, literacy and numeracy course entry requirements which will be tested during registration.

These fee free places are available to the first 30 eligible apprentices who apply so get in quick if you’d like to secure a place, as they will fill-up fast.

Offer ends July 31 2023, unless filled prior.

Fee Free Vocational Education is a joint initiative of the Australian and South Australian Governments.

The terms and conditions under which FCTA can offer Fee Free Vocational Education are stipulated in a Funded Activities Agreement (FAA) between FCTA and Skills SA.

Under our FAA, FCTA can only offer Fee Free Vocational Education to full or part-time apprentices with an approved Training Contract.

This offer is not available to school-based apprentices.

The post Fee Free Training for NEW Bricklaying Apprentices – Limited Places first appeared on FCTA Trade School Adelaide RTO#40057.

The post Christmas & New Year Holidays – Closing Friday 16/12/2022 & Reopening Monday 9/1/2023 first appeared on FCTA Trade School Adelaide RTO#40057.

Bricklayers are in demand, with experts saying the profession enjoys a far greater sense of pride and accomplishment than that of other construction trades.

The Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation has experienced a 63 per cent increase in the number of people signing up to bricklaying apprenticeships this year – with South Australia recording a 113 per cent increase – amid reports salaries of more than $100,000 are being offered to qualified brickies to stem worker shortages.

But it is still not enough to meet demand for labour, which has been exacerbated by the recent Homebuilder incentive scheme, says ABBTF chief executive Michael Morrissey.

“There’s endless demand for bricklayers,” he says.

“You don’t see an unemployed brickie ever.

Many also use the trade as a stepping stone to start their own business, work as a subcontractor or move into a construction management role.

“You can become a subbie very easily because you don’t need a van full of electrical or carpentry tools (like an electrician or carpenter) – you just need your own (cement) mixer and your trowel and you can get started,’’ Morrissey says.

FCTA – Building Careers chief executive Trisch Baff says bricklaying is often forgotten by those contemplating a construction career, despite its importance to the industry.

“There’s a hierarchy – when it comes to thinking about doing a trade, people think more about carpentry, or they will consider things like electrical and plumbing,” she says.

“But, as far as the trade (industry) goes, basically carpenters and bricklayers are the only two trades that know how to build a house from the ground up.”

John Tonkin, 20, started a bricklaying apprenticeship earlier this year and says the opportunities have been amazing.

“It’s a lot more complex than people think and it’s hard yakka,’’ he says.

“But it’s very rewarding to watch the houses go up and the people I’ve met on (job) sites will be mates for life.’’

Lauren Ahwan, September 29, 2021 – 4:30AM, News Corp Australia Network

Full article: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/careers/more-bricklayers-needed-to-keep-up-with-homebuilder-demand/news-story/35817a7d165a49d610bb9e4bc2e15637

The post Bricklayers in demand | industry news first appeared on FCTA Trade School Adelaide RTO#40057.

South Australia is blessed with a variety of heritage-protected character homes. Owning these properties comes with a responsibility to conserve their heritage. If you are planning on renovating a heritage property, this workshop is designed for you.

This workshop will cover:

• Understanding the cause of common issues that occur in older homes
• The types of materials that should and shouldn’t be used
• Questions to ask tradespeople about the scope of works and their licences
• What to request tradespeople to include in their quotes
• Principles of heritage conservation from the Burra Charter
• The importance and benefits of regular maintenance
• How to work with your local council

When: Saturday 8th of May 2021, 9.30 am — 4.00 pm
Where: Retort House 21 Chief Street, Brompton (meet at Chief Street entrance gate)

Register now:
Contact Anne Howarth by Friday, 30th of April 2021
P 8367 5615
E admin@fcta.com.au
*Preference will be given to residents of the Western Suburbs*

Price: This program has been subsidised by Renewal SA’s Works Program

The post How to Restore Heritage Protected Homes – Workshop first appeared on FCTA Trade School Adelaide RTO#40057.

The Prime Mister is expected to announce the extension today, removing the 100,000 cap and allowing the program to run until September 30.

The $1.2 billion scheme was announced last October as a way of boosting new enrolments, with an end date of 30 September 2021, or once the 100,000 cap was filled.

The program provides a subsidy of 50% of wages paid to an apprentice or trainee up to a maximum of $7,000 a quarter. The scheme took off when announced and saw all the available places taken up within five months.

Today’s changes mean that the scheme will be uncapped and those already signed up as well as new enrolments will receive the wage subsidy for a full 12 months, not just until Septemeber as originally planned.

Reference: TAFE Directors Australia Newsletter

The post Federal government to extend 50% apprentice wage subsidy | Industry news first appeared on FCTA Trade School Adelaide RTO#40057.

There are multiple junior apprenticeship positions currently available in South Australia. FCTA – Building Careers is running a combined Certificate II in Construction courses for JobTrainer eligible students and TGSS high school students. Contact us to discuss your eligibility to enrol in the course starting on the 23rd of March 2021.

The course will run for 10 weeks 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Tuesday – Friday at 15 Jacobsen Crs, Holden Hill 5088 SA. Training will focus on bricklaying, tiling and plastering, to prepare students for possible apprenticeships.

Pre-Apprenticeship courses are a popular way of finding out which trade you enjoy most before seeking an apprenticeship. Many employers seek course graduates when hiring apprentices.

Employment decisions are ultimately made by individual employers, FCTA will assist with bringing employers and applicants together, but we can not guarantee employment outcomes.

If you are interested in enrolling please call our office on 8367 5615 or email admin@fcta.com.au

Units of Competence

The post Pre-apprenticeship Course Starts 23rd of March 2021 first appeared on FCTA Trade School Adelaide RTO#40057.

His last day of trade school was all about the future. Tony shook his hand, wished him the best of luck for what was to be a bright and happy life. We teased him about wearing shorts when it was the middle of winter. We joked about him sending his apprentices back here once he had his own bricklaying team. We laughed with him and helped guide his way through his apprenticeship. We were confident he’d do well.

Connor wasn’t the lad to burst out into the world in a confused teenage jumble of excitement, frustration and impatience. He was a quiet achiever. He took his work to heart, sharing photos of his trade school projects with his family. Telling his sisters they should give bricklaying a try. Connor was the natural mentor, the good guy who would lend a hand to the new apprentices.

For Connors family and friends we’d like to offer our deepest condolences. Be proud of him, we certainly were. He was one of the best.  

Trisch Baff
28/1/2021

The post Vale – Connor Musolino – bricklaying’s quiet achiever 31/3/2001 – 17/1/2021 first appeared on FCTA Trade School Adelaide RTO#40057.

Such is the demand that experts say workers can virtually name their price, with many people offered jobs before they qualify in their trade.

“Stonemasonry is a very well paying trade, which I don’t think many people realise,’’ says Trisch Baff, chief executive of FCTA – Building Careers, which offers a certificate III stonemasonry qualification.

“There’s a bit of a romantic view of what a stonemason is.

“People think they will be carving roses into stone but it’s physically demanding – we’re not using power tools, we’re using a chisel.’’

A chronic shortage of stonemasons across Australia has forced employers to turn to workers who have some experience but have not yet completed their qualifications.

Despite this, two-thirds of vacancies still remain unfilled, the Federal Government’s latest skills shortage report for the profession states.

Lauren Ahwan, January 12, 2021 – 6:00AM, News Corp Australia Network

Full article: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/careers/blacksmiths-watchmakers-and-stonemasons-are-the-olden-day-workers-now-in-high-demand/news-story/99831114acdb805db2db303cc20e14ca

The post Heritage Trades in high demand | Industry news first appeared on FCTA Trade School Adelaide RTO#40057.

Tradies are now required to complete 6 units of study. Details of the new requirements can be found at www.cbs.sa.gov.au

CBS also provides a list of the Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) that will be running the contractor’s courses, details can be found below. From personal experience, we recommend the HIA for these courses.

• Housing Industry Association – (08) 8340 5900
• BRACE Education and Training – (08) 8440 2404
• North East Vocational College – (08) 8397 9500
• NHA Australia – 0481 818 507
• Master Builders Association SA (MBA course option only) – 08 8211 7466
• TAFE SA – 1800 882 661
• TAFE SA (Adelaide Metro) – 0477 732 457
• PCD Training – 1300 797 123
• Stay Safe Industry Training (Queensland) – 1300 748 338
• Accredited Online Training – 1300 726 634

The post Contractors Course Update first appeared on FCTA Trade School Adelaide RTO#40057.