Industry News

WA Premier Hon. Roger Cook has announced an additional 175 places are being added to the Group Training Organisation (GTO) Wage Subsidy Program, with a $21.6 million investment aimed at creating more pathways for Western Australians to pursue building and construction apprenticeships, allowing them to earn as they learn on the job. This expansion, funded through the Construction Training Fund, empowers GTOs to offer even more opportunities for Western Australians to complete apprenticeships or traineeships. With this increase in funding, […]

17 year-old Taya Sawtell, who was a finalist for School-Based Apprentice of the Year at WA’s Training Awards in October, explains why a school-based apprenticeship (SBT) and traineeship  in resources construction appealed to her, how her career in construction has begun and what her working days look like.  Choosing a construction career in the Resources sector  ‘I’m a real hands-on person; I like labour and I hate sitting still,’ Taya explains. ‘I have to be touching or learning something, so […]

A 32 strong team of Aussie apprentices did the Australian construction industry proud at the international WorldSkills competition this year, with the three West Australian construction apprentices each receiving a medallion of excellence. The WorldSkills international championships, which have been running since 1981, give tradies at the beginning of their career the chance to pit their skills against apprentices from other countries and showcase their abilities across vocational, technological and service-oriented careers. What is WorldSkills?  WorldSkills is an international championship […]

‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’. Australians may have grown up hearing this; now the focus has shifted from the physical hazards workers can encounter to the mental ones. And the construction industry is at the helm of the change, with a series of free workshops tackling psychosocial hazards in the construction industry having taken place across the state this August and September by Construction Training Fund. And that was just the beginning.  […]

WA’s construction industry plays a critical role in our thriving resources sector, from building new mines and LNG plants to developing the essential infrastructure that supports them. With such a vast industry, it goes without saying that its construction activity is incredibly varied. But what exactly qualifies as ‘construction’ in the resources sector? How can you know if your project is subject to the CTF levy and if you are eligible for CTF funding? Let’s unpack it.    What is considered […]

Apprentices who completed their apprenticeship between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024 could have a $2000 cash payment coming their way.  Hurry, because time is running out to claim your Apprentice Completion Grant, with 30 September 2024 the deadline for claims submissions.  WA apprentices can also claim  an additional $500 reimbursement for the purchase of work-related tools and/or safety equipment during your apprenticeship. TLDR: How do I claim?   To claim your $2,000 Apprentice Completion Grant, log in to the […]

The Cook government has just announced a range of new funding initiatives to support the Western Australian economy, with continued investment in infrastructure and training. New initiatives funded by the Construction Training Fund

It’s never too late to get involved in workplace health and safety (WHS).  At CTF, we understand the importance of fostering safe and healthy workspaces. We know how exciting and dynamic construction workplaces can be–but also their dangers. By learning about safe work practices, we can develop inviting, hazard-free workplaces for ourselves and others. That’s why we’ve created a handy guide on workplace safety in construction, including all the tips and tricks to keeping yourself, and your workmates, safe all […]

Construction isn’t just about manual trades. Where there are tradies on the ground building amazing projects, there are white-collar workers behind the scenes designing and planning. White-collar, also referred to as paraprofessional, roles in construction typically refer to office-based positions like architecture and project management. These roles are just as important as bricklayers and concreters when it comes to executing high-quality, functional, and safe building projects. With a national white-collar skills shortage, the construction industry is calling out for qualified […]