04 NEWS WEDNESDAY,MARCH 14, 2018 QUEENSLANDTIMES.COM.AU Builders face tough Trainees times

QUEENSLAND’S construc- tion industry continues to face eye off tough times with insolvency ex- perts claiming more than 400 businesses are at risk of going broke. SV Partners said more than 430 businesses in project the industry were at high to se- vere risk of insolvency accord- ing to the firm’s analysis of com- mercial data. This represents a 10 per cent Blank canvas for next generation increase over the past year. SV Partners executive direc- DARREN HALLESY launched tor David Stimpson said smaller [email protected] the new venture which she said construction companies were was getting attention from set to suffer from a forecast A HOUSE in Sadliers Crossing the right places. downturn in residential con- is about to be restored by 54 of “It’s a great partnership be- struction and were unlikely to Ipswich’s keenest young tra- tween Apprenticeships benefit from the influx of com- dies, thanks to the success of Queensland, TAFE and our mercial projects such as Cross the Building Futures project schools to get 14 school-based River Rail and Queen’s Wharf. last year. apprentices working on this Queensland’s construction Ahouse was purchased in house, plus another 40 con- watchdog last year announced a Hill St North Ipswich last struction students getting a crackdown on builders who are year through a joint venture qualification in construc- operating beyond their financial between Apprenticeships tion,” Ms Fentiman said. capacity. Queensland (AQ) and TAFE. Verity Pont, 19, from Wil- Public Works and Housing This gave dozens of school- lowbank, is keen to get stuck Minister also based apprentices a hands-on into the project and is an ex- has introduced new powers for experience on a work site. ample of a new generation of the QBCC that will ensure The house was finished and young women joining the builders face jail time or hefty then sold in a timely fashion, construction industry. fines for financial malfeasance, with proceeds going towards “I love seeing the end pro- including not paying money this new purchase to continue ject. earmarked for subbies into spe- giving the next generation of “You can drive past in 10 cial trust accounts. QBCC in- tradies real-life experience. years and feel good about all spectors will be given powers to The high-set three-bedroom the hard work you’ve put into seize documents and property home in Herbert St will be it,” she said. from building companies sus- transformed to includea ■ You can follow the pro- pected of financial irregularity GET TO WORK: Trainee Bradley Haynes, Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard, Minister for Training Shannon downstairs area and add three gress of the house in the QT’s under the reforms. Fentiman, Ipswich West MP Jim Madden and trainee Verity Pont inspect the next project house. Photo: David bedrooms and a rumpus room. Real Estate Guide with your Glen Norris Nielsen Employment Minister paper every Saturday.