The Plan - In Focus

Future talent benefits from BER Program funding

Rory Dougan is very close to realising his dream of becoming an electrician, thanks to a recent funding boost for WA apprentices. Rory is one of 94 apprentices the Industry Training Program (ITP) has assisted who were at risk of losing their apprenticeships during the economic downturn last year. The Industry Training Program is administered by the Department of Treasury and Finance's Building Management and Works (BMW) business. BMW's Industry Training Unit (ITU) was the recipient of a significant funding boost provided through the Building the Education Revolution (BER) program to assist with the placement and training of apprentices.

Following a 12-month stint during which he was unemployed, Rory was picked up by the ITU and placed on site at the West Beechboro Primary School with host employer, SMB Electrical Services in Wangara, and is now in the process of completing his second year as an apprentice electrician.

Acting Manager Industry Training (Industry Training Unit) Imogen Willmot described Rory as an inspiration. “Rory has accelerated through his competency-based training at TAFE and will finish his second year ahead of time,” Imogen said. “His success is a great example of the positive contribution the Industry Training Program is making to the future employment prospects for young apprentices in WA.” Rory, of Nollamara, said the work provided by the BER program had come along at exactly the right time to ensure he was able to continue his training.

“I was one of many apprentices who were laid off due to the economic conditions and this basically put me about a year behind in my training,” Rory said.

“So I’m definitely thankful that the Building the Education Revolution work opportunity was offered to me. I’m now working full-time and looking to complete my training as soon as possible.”

Apprentices are employed through Group Training Organisations, contracted by the ITU, who manage the training plan and employment of apprentices with their host employers.

The funding was provided through the $14.7 billion Building the Education Revolution Program, which is part of the Commonwealth Government’s Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan announced in February 2009. Western Australia was allocated $1.26 billion to fund primary and secondary school infrastructure and maintenance.

Another success story is James Hurley, who is working as a first year apprentice plumber with Yokine-based Cassotti Plumbers and Gasfitters. Dominic Casotti took on three ITP apprentices during the recent global financial crisis, which greatly assisted the training path of those apprentices who were finding it difficult to find placements at that time. James has had excellent training on BER project sites at both Westminster Primary School and Belmont Primary School.