Defence housing construction secures jobs for young apprentices

Life is now a little easier for two first-year apprentices in Brisbane. For the next four years, their apprenticeships will be secured by Defence Housing Australia’s (DHA) Apprenticeship Support Scheme.

DHA created the scheme in response to increased construction generated by the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan.

Carpenter John Chalk has felt the impact of the recent economic downturn. The tougher financial climate had meant that demand in the private construction market had declined and work was slow.

John recently hired 22-year-old Sam Duffy through DHA’s apprenticeship scheme. He believes that without the support of the Economic Stimulus Plan and DHA he could not have taken on an apprentice.

“My work was dying off up until March. I was only working on one or two houses and I had to put off some of my labourers,” John said.

Since the announcement of the Economic Stimulus Plan, John’s workload has rapidly increased.

Sam has been on the job for five weeks, and John is impressed with the maturity and skill Sam is showing.

Troy Abbott is a 20-year-old electrical apprentice who is also employed through the DHA Apprenticeship Support Scheme. He started just three weeks ago with host trainer R J Electrical and has been working on Defence houses across Brisbane.

Troy has wanted to be an electrician since he left school, but found it difficult to find an apprenticeship. He believes that the best things about this apprenticeship are the people he works with and the opportunities it offers him.

“I am on track for where I want to be in the future,” Troy said. “I want to be a qualified electrician and this is going to get me there.”

DHA is working with the Housing Industry Association (HIA) in Brisbane to find and support apprentices like Sam and Troy. HIA is widely renowned for the quality and professionalism of its apprentices, and is currently in the process of securing two more DHA supported apprentices in Brisbane.

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