News and Blogs
Scientists uncover Ancient Roman recipe for world’s most durable concrete – ABC News
Ancient Roman concrete marine structures built thousands of years ago are stronger now than when they were first built. So how has Roman concrete outlasted the empire, while modern concrete mixtures erode within decades of being exposed to seawater? Scientists have...
Where machines could replace humans—and where they can’t (yet)
As automation technologies such as machine learning and robotics play an increasingly great role in everyday life, their potential effect on the workplace has, unsurprisingly, become a major focus of research and public concern. The discussion tends toward a Manichean...
Tax Deductions for Tradies and Contractors
Are you a self-employed Tradesman or Contractor? Being self-employed can provide a lot of benefits, such as flexible working hours and being your own boss. When it comes to your tax return, however, it can get a little complicated. Being a self-employed Tradesman or...
Top Tile Trends for 2017 |Tile, Finishes and Surfaces, Housing Trends, Products, Design, Interior Design
Tile has become a widely used surface material in residential homes for its durability, sustainability, resistance to scratches and stains, and low maintenance. Beyond that, it's available in myriad colors, textures, and patterns, mimicking everything from stone and...
SA budget 2017: Grants boosted for new apprentices and trainees to $9,000 for small businesses – ABC News
SA budget 2017: Grants boosted for new apprentices and trainees By political reporter Nick Harmsen and Tom Fedorowytsch Posted about an hour ago Payments will be boosted by as much as $5,000 for businesses taking on apprentices and trainees as part of the South...
Killer dust: Why is asbestos still killing people?
A long vertical pipe sits against white-painted brickwork in the corner of a cramped storeroom. Two men wearing orange boiler suits and gloves crouch at its base. One uses a scraper to remove lumps of what looks like wet papier-mâché from the outside of the pipe, into...
London fire: flammable cladding on Australian buildings ‘is like the asbestos problem’ | UK news | The Guardian
A leading Australian fire safety engineer has compared the task of removing flammable aluminium cladding from high-rise buildings to ridding the country of asbestos, saying it could affect tens of thousands of buildings.
Pre-Apprenticeship Course Starts June 27th 2017
The Certificate II in Construction (CPC20112) is commonly referred to as a pre-apprenticeship course because it helps students become apprentices. FCTA - Building Careers has been running pre-apprenticeship courses for over 15 years. We now have graduates from our...
We Are Hiring! Solid Plastering Trainer Wanted
FCTA - Building Careers is an award winning family owned and run trade school based in Holden Hill. We are seeking a new trainer to join our team of full time trainers. This role will be responsible for training Solid Plastering apprentices, Certificate II in...
How to Become a Licensed Waterproofer in South Australia
Last week I spoke to the people at Consumer and Business Services to check what they require before issuing a person with a license to complete internal & balcony waterproofing. Each week we have people call asking if they can complete our 3 day course in...
Amazing Example Of The Use Of Brick In A Melbourne Extension
Bricks traditional dominance in the residential housing market has been suffering over the last couple of decades. The pressure to put more house on less land has led builders to look at tilt up concrete panels, Hebel and Blueboard like products. The current trend for...
An Explanation of the Governments First Home Buyers Superannuation Policy
The Barefoot Investor has managed to explain the Governments new policy to help people save a deposit for their first home. The full article can be read here. From July 1, you’ll be able to ask your boss to divert extra money into your super fund to save for a...
2017 Budget: Policies To Increase Housing Supply and Affordability
Hidden in the 2017 budget are some details that should help keep the construction industry ticking along even if Sydney and Melbourne have a price correction. SA housing growth has been relatively flat by comparison, but there is a shortage of affordable rental...
Co-founder and CEO Lorraine Baff Retires
After 16 successful years, Lorraine Baff has decided to retire as CEO of FCTA - Building Careers. Lorraine and Jim Baff founded the company in 2001 after years of advocacy work in South Australia. In 2008 Lorraine and Jim won the SA Small Training Organisation of the...
Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate II In Construction Starts 30th May 2017
Our next pre-apprenticeship course will be starting Tuesday May 30th at Holden Hill. If you are looking for an apprenticeship in South Australia, this is the course to give yourself the best chance possible. FCTA – Building Careers also trains apprentices, so students...
Pre-apprenticeship Certificate II in Construction Starts 26th April 2017 with more dates announced
Our next pre-apprenticeship course will be starting Wednesday April 26th at Holden Hill. If you are looking for an apprenticeship in South Australia, this is the course to give yourself the best chance possible. FCTA - Building Careers also trains apprentices, so...
Apprenticeships need to be promoted as a viable career or we face skills shortages in the future
Apprenticeships need to be promoted as ‘sexy’ to avoid a skills crisis, experts say Originally Published: Matt Smith, Sunday Mail (SA) April 8, 2017 9:30pm APPRENTICESHIPS need to be again promoted as “sexy” to avoid a skills crisis, lack of competitiveness and an...
Reverse Building Products Are Being Advertised With Some Questionable Logic
CSR Bradford are promoting their Thermoseal Wall Wrap system as a way to have work on the interior of homes completed before, or at the same time as the external brickwork or cladding is completed. There is no mention of the extra complexity facing bricklayers having...
House of hemp: Growers call for a processing plant to supply building industry
Construction of the first hemp house in WA has just been completed, sparking calls to build a local processing plant so local farmers can supply the building industry. The hemp plant's woody stem is shredded, mixed with a lime render and tampered into place inside a...
Consumer and Business Services Continues to Name and Shame Dodgy Builders
Consumer and Business Services (CBS) has announced that their 'Dob in an Unlicensed Tradie' campaign has resulted in approximately 60 claims. On top of this, DJ Verandahs has been fined $12,500 for being unlicensed as well as having customers win civil proceedings...