macwater News

Courier Mail
Edition 1 - First with the news TUE 05 AUG 2008, Page 015
State's skills base on track - Women tradies drive training boom
By Natascha Schwartz

A record number of Queenslanders turned to the trades last year with more than 21,000 starting apprenticeships.

As the state continues to battle a skills shortage, new figures reveal Queensland is leading the nation when it comes to the number of apprentices and trainees -- particularly in the trades.
More than 63,000 Queenslanders began apprenticeships or traineeships in 2007 -- one third of them in trades -- an increase of 10 per cent on the previous year, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research said.  Another 31,000 completed their training during the year, with an increasing number of women turning to careers in the traditionally male-dominated trades.

One of the new faces is Sarah Bainbrigge, a Year 11 student at the Australian Technical College on the Gold Coast, who is completing a school-based plumbing apprenticeship.
``I think it's great that more females are giving it a go and taking on trade apprenticeships,'' she said.
``Just get out and try it. I love coming to work, I've made new friends and I get fit while I work.''
Gold Coast plumber David MacKenzie, who employs Sarah in his company Macwater, said female apprentices were more reliable than males.
``What I had been finding was that the blokes would start off well but once they were signed up for their full-time apprenticeship, they would lose their commitment,'' Mr MacKenzie said.

Sarah said there were some hurdles in her job like heavy lifting, but her boss had offered her a personal trainer to help.  Mr MacKenzie said working in the trades was not all about strength. ``Brains rule over brawn anytime. At the end of the day no one can lift more than 20kg due to workplace health and safety, and it doesn't matter, anyway. It's all about your attitude,'' he said.

Caption:  GRIPPING . . . Sarah Bainbrigge loves her work as an apprentice plumber.
Illus:  Photo
IllusBy:  Tim Marsden
Section:  NEWS