No one wants to be a 19th century trade apprentice

The Housing Industry Association advocates a full and comprehensive range of training qualifications that includes everything from traineeships to advanced diplomas and degrees. These will provide fast tracks to specialised skills and satisfy the complaints of those rejecting the concept of a traditional apprenticeship.

In addition, a trainee who elects to take a break or work in another career, can leave with a qualification appropriate to the level they have reached, which they can use as a starting point should they decided to resume training later, or work in the industry at the level their qualification allows.

Union arguments that it is “deskilling” and will restrict a tradesperson’s options later on are wrong. The skills learnt through the new courses can be counted towards a full trade apprenticeship IF the individual considers it worthwhile and decides to go further.

The time for further reviews is over. The implementation of a full and comprehensive suite of training qualifications with flexible learning methods is crucial for future labour market productivity and the survival of the building and construction industry as we know it.