Multiplex gives youth a taste of future careers at Queen's Wharf Brisbane
As part of an exciting initiative to promote the many careers in the construction industry, up to 35 young people interested in construction had the opportunity to try their hand at a number of trades when they visited Multiplex's construction site in Waterline Park at Queen's Wharf Brisbane today.
The participants from Yourtown currently undertaking a Certificate 1 construction qualification took part in Multiplex's Skills Onsite Day at Waterline Park (currently under construction).
The day offered young people aged between 16 and 21 further insight into the construction industry profiling a variety of skills and trades needed to help deliver large scale commercial construction projects.
Multiplex Training Manager Jodie Trousdell said: "As a major contractor, Multiplex has the unique opportunity to have a long-term positive impact on the skilling and development of the industry through supporting existing workers to upskill, while encouraging more young people to get their career started in construction."
"The interactive Skills Onsite program allows participants to connect the knowledge they are learning and apply it practically to a live project," she said.
The day was supported by Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ), the independent industry-funded body supporting employers, workers, apprentices and career seekers in the building and construction industry.
"CSQ is proud to partner with Multiplex and Destination Brisbane Consortium with initiatives such as this Skills Onsite day to encourage young people to consider a career in construction," said CSQ CEO Brett Schimming.
"The construction industry is a great place to build a career with so many options to earn while you learn and develop your skills, including a range of training courses with 75 to 100 per cent of the course costs covered by CSQ," Mr Schimming said.
"Choosing a career in construction can be very rewarding and there is plenty of support along the way to help you progress and achieve your goals, from leading a team on-site to possibly owning your own business one day."
Destination Brisbane Consortium awarded Multiplex the foreshore works, including the 500m upgrade of the Bicentennial Bikeway, construction of a new above water Mangrove Walk and active recreational park – Waterline Park in mid-2018 and expects to open this section of public realm in late-2019.
Destination Brisbane Consortium Project Director Simon Crooks said Multiplex was recently selected as the preferred contractor to construct Queen's Wharf Brisbane's main integrated resort, which includes the four hotel and residential apartment towers, Sky Deck and public realm around the towers.
"In the peak of construction, around 2021, we expect Queen's Wharf Brisbane to provide 2,000 construction jobs which amounts to significant investment in apprentices and trainees," he said.
"The training program that Multiplex is providing is an exciting program and great way to engage construction workers of the future," Mr Crooks said.
Ms Trousdell said the Skills Onsite Day was just a taste of the types of skill development initiatives Multiplex was planning as they would continue to offer training opportunities to people new to the industry as their involvement with Queen's Wharf grew.