Industry News

Concreter Hayden Mosby talks us through his experiences as a concreter, what he’s learned about leadership from his trade and how growing up as a Torres Strait Islander shaped his desire to work in construction. Childhood dreams of the construction industry “I’m from a tiny island up in the Torres Strait, and there are limited, very limited opportunities,” says Hayden. “The tankers that take off from here [Western Australia], the LNG [liquid natural gas] ones used to sail straight past my […]

The journey from apprentice to qualified air con mechanic can be winding, although there is a lot of support on the way. Xtracool Air Conditioning owner and air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic Michael Stephenson and his apprentice, Zayde Free, share their experiences in the industry. The importance of apprentices “You couldn’t run a small business without an apprentice,” says boss Michael (Micko) Stephenson. “You find a good one and they’re worth their weight in gold.” Apprentices play a vital role […]

Are you curious about a career in Western Australia’s building and construction industry? If you’re a high school student or parent exploring construction career options for your child, the Construction Futures Centre Open Day is the perfect place to get hands-on experience and discover what the industry has to offer.

35-year-old builder Matt Vickers always knew construction was the career for him, but he had to try out a few trades before he found the right fit. Now, with 13 years of experience under his (tool) belt, he tells us why building is the job for him. Life in the fast lane as an automotive technician “The first trade I got into was mechanics, and I qualified as an automotive technician,” says Matt. ‘I’ve always been practically skilled, so a […]

The construction industry offers many rewarding career opportunities beyond working with the tools. While many people associate careers in construction with trades like carpentry, electrical work or plumbing, there are also a variety of office-based professional roles essential to keeping the Western Australian construction industry moving forward. The new industry-recognised Certificate II in Building and Construction (Pathway—Technical Support) is a great opportunity for anyone looking to enter the building industry in an administrative role.  What does the new Certificate II […]

The CTF Capital Grant Program was launched to boost the training capacity of private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in the building and construction sector. Announced on 5 November 2023, the Capital Grants Program is fully funded by the Construction Training Fund with an allocation of $5 million to help support the building and construction industry. Applications for the 2023-24 capital grant program were open from 1 March 2024 to 22 April 2024. After a thorough evaluation process, the Grants were […]

28-year-old apprentice carpenter Andrew Sims didn’t come straight into the construction industry. Instead, he started a paramedical science degree at university, then considered joining the army. It was a suggestion from his sister, an architect, that propelled him into the construction industry. Now, as he approaches the completion of his apprenticeship, he shares his story with us.  From university to a mature age apprenticeship in carpentry “I did university for one year but I failed a unit in my second […]

21-year-old electrical apprentice Raya Hukin’s career nearly took a very different path. After starting a university degree, Raya knew three months in that her heart – and her skillset – lay with the tools, and she started an electrical apprenticeship instead.  From university degree to an apprenticeship “I worked in hospitality after I finished school. I always loved being hands on, but I thought I needed to do something different so I did a bridging course to get into uni,” […]

22-year-old wall and ceiling liner, Cody Outen, won the Apprentice of the Year award from the Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries (ACWI) two years in a row (2022 and 2023). He was also named their 2024 Apprentice Challenge winner. But it’s not just a trophy chest full of silverware that makes him passionate about his job.  Life as a wall and ceiling liner “It’s the foundation of everything,” he explains. “Whoever hangs the ceiling, it needs to be done […]