News and Blogs
Does it benefit every student to complete years 11 & 12 at High School?
Year 11 & 12 students once had the option to complete their schooling in TAFE/RTO colleges. These students were not interested in attending university, and had a trade career planned for after school. This was scraped and since high schools have tried to absorb the role of trade training centres but without the links to industry that true trade schools have.
SNOBBERY, policy neglect and funding cuts are steadily eroding Australia’s vocational education and training sector, a leading academic has warned.
On a per-student basis, spending has gone backwards. Between 1999and 2011 per student government VET spending fell by 25 per cent against a 30 per cent rise in spending per primary school student and a20 per cent rise per secondary school student. In higher education, per student spending has been largely flat.
Contractors Licence – new dates added
We have added new dates for our contractors licence course. The course take 4 days in total to complete. Call us on 8367 5616, or email admin@fcta.com.au to book in a place. If you have a CITB card the cost is $450, without the card the cost is $950. The next dates...
Apprenticeship funding changes announced in the federal budget
The main change for apprentices is the scrapping of the 'tools for trade' allowance and the introduction of a 'HECS' style loan programme. An overhaul of funding arrangements regarding skills and training in the federal budget has received a mixed response from...
Jim Baff Scholarship: places offered in Certificate II Construction – applications open for 13th October 2014 course
FCTA – Building Careers offers a limited number of fee free training scholarships as part of the Jim Baff Scholarship programme. Jim opened FCTA in 2001 with the goal to deliver quality training in a flexible environment. As a former Rotary President, Jim had a strong desire to offer community assistance to people who had a good work ethic, and who wanted to change their lives via a career in the building industry. Places are limited, applications should be made to Trisch Baff at trisch@fcta.com.au, or calling 08 8367 5616.
South Australia has state specific requirements covering waterproofing of wet areas
South Australia has additional waterproofing requirements. These Ministerial Standards were updated in May 2012 and can be downloaded by following the link in our post.
Open over the Easter break, only closed for public holidays
Lots of people have been asking us if we are open for the 3 days between Easter Monday & Anzac Day. We are open, and happy to train across all trades for the 3 days. If you'd like to arrange for your apprentices to come in, call us on 83675615 or email...
Important: Changes to pay rates for apprentices signed up after 01/01/2014
On March 21st 2014 the Fair Work Commission made significant changes to how apprentices are paid. Progression of pay rates is now linked to the amount of competency they achieve at trade school. If apprentices complete more than 25% of their trade school before their contract of training anniversary, they are now to be paid at the 2nd year apprentice rate.
Pre-Apprenticeship courses give students an advantage finding apprenticeships
Pre-apprenticeship students are more likely to secure an apprenticeship, and keep it. We have a wide range of people complete these courses, and great examples of former students who have secured apprenticeships.
Trade licensing: the national licensing system has been cancelled, so what next?
National trade licensing has been scrapped. Attention has now been taken away from the issue of unlicensed workers in the building industry. The process to apply for a contractors licence in South Australia does not require the completion of an apprenticeship, proof of experience is suitable. Full details about how to apply are available at cbs.sa.gov.au.
South Australian new home approvals up 10.5% in latest data
A jump in detached housing has seen residential building approvals in Australia soaring to eleven year highs in the latest sign of increasing home building activity. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the overall number of dwelling units approved...
Master Tilers Association
FCTA - Building Careers is a member of the Master Tilers Association (MTA). The MTA has members from all over Australia, including some of SA's most highly regarded tilers. They have a website that hosts a forum where people can discuss issues with certain jobs,...
What happens to unlicensed tradies?
Tradies are required to be licensed in South Australia. There are fines and bans for tradies found to be working without a licence
Pre-Apprenticeship course kicks off today 03/02/2014
We had a good response to the Cert II Construction course, with a full class starting today. These Certificate II courses are generally referred to as 'pre-apprenticeship' courses as most of the students are seeking an apprenticeship at the end of the course. We've...
Waterproofing course on 29th Jan will be rescheduled
After this weeks hot weather made it nearly impossible to get any work done, we've decided to reschedule our waterproofing course. When dates have been confirmed an update will be posted. If you are interested in attending and have time free at specific dates, email...
Wall & Ceiling Lining Industry and Apprentice Resources
CSR's 'Red Book' is the most well known guide in the industry. It is now available as partof CSR's Gyprock App. Just search for 'gyprock' in the app store. Another resource is the Australian Wall & Ceiling Lining Industries presentation on fire rated installation....
Apprentices will be finishing trade school early this week due to the heat
Severe heat wave conditions are expected in Adelaide this week. As a result FCTA will be opening at 7am, so students can finish earlier.
FCTA – Building Careers App is now available for iPhone & Android
Our app is available for downloading. It is an easy way to request an onsite visit, check the latest industry news, and look for upcoming short courses, like the contractors licence course. Just visit the app store, or google play and search for FCTA
Jan 18 – 19 & Feb 1 – 2 Contractors Licence Course
The SA Govt requires tradies to complete 2 business units as part of their contractors licence application. The units are: Apply Legal Concepts & Small Business Finance The course runs over 2 weekends, 4 days in total. The first weekend session is Jan 18-19, take...
2014 Short Courses & Pre-apprenticeship intake
Pre-apprenticeship Cert II Construction Courses will be running throughout the year. The next course commences 03/02/2014 and runs for 10 weeks. This course is currently funded by Skills for All for eligible students. Short courses in tiling, waterproofing, fibrous plastering and solid plastering will be run at Holden Hill, with the next course being a 3 day waterproofing course commencing 29/01/2014.