Supported by the Brick and Block Manufacturers of Australia QUEENSLAND November 2010 A FOG of a Careers Expo Carr Family's Dynasty of Bricklaying On 15 September at the Former Origin Greats (FOGs) Careers Expo in Brisbane, the Federal Minister Mark Arbib laid bricks at our 'try a trade' stand. Origin greats Alan Langer and Gene Miles tested their skills with bricklaying at the ABBTF stand, giving us a huge 'rap'. "During the Expo three ABBTF staff were on hand, but with the numbers in attendance, we found it difficult to keep up with all the interest being shown," said Tony Bishop, Queensland Manager for ABBTF. It was by far the most hectic we have been at an Expo in years," added Tony. "Apart from 'King Wally', the first ever L-R: Graham Carr, Peter Carr and Jeff Carr Queensland State of Origin captain, Arthur Beetson, the greatest ever centre Gene Miles, the best hooker The Carr family dynasty of bricklayers in this newsletter before when he Steve Walters and greatest fullback, involving grandsons, nephews, uncles received a prestigious award, is a and Gary Belcher all attended," Tony and cousins has been building in bricklaying trainer with Central added. Queensland for over 87 years. Queensland TAFE at the Rockhampton campus. It started with Tommy Carr who was a bricklayer for 40 years followed by his When asked what the significant son Gilly for another 40 years. changes were in their time, Graham said "Unloading bricks by machine...we used Today Jeff Carr, Gilly's first cousin (once to unload bricks by hand 2,000 on one removed) is still working his own gang at truck in the morning and 2,500 bricks in 55 years of age. He started bricklaying the afternoon. They were stacked with with his Uncle Gilly and has been laying straw between rows to keep them from bricks for a total of 41 years. chipping." John Carr did his time with Grandpa According to Jeff profiles and brick saws Tommy Carr and was in bricklaying for 40 were the biggest change. “We used to years and worked for Jeff as well. have to build all the corners freehand, Gene Miles at the FOGS Expo Then there is Graham Carr, Gilly's cousin four courses at a time". (also once removed) who ran Gilly's "For the young men and women with They both agreed the best thing about gang and is still working with Jeff Carr at an interest in becoming bricklayers, we bricklaying was, "The achievement of 65 years of age. He has been laying gave them all the opportunity to create having created something that stood for bricks for over 51 years. their very own brick walls and other a long time." more fancy structures. Finally, there is Peter Carr, Graham and We estimate that the Carr family has laid Jeff's first cousin (yes once removed!) "Over 3,500 indigenous job seekers over 20 million bricks and all of them laid who has ten years bricklaying experience and school leavers flocked to the event to a line, level and plumb. and did his time as an apprentice with and it was a great success for ABBTF Jeff Carr. Peter, who has been featured Now that's a bricklaying dynasty for you! and the industry,” Tony concluded. www.abbtf.com.au | www.becomeabricklayer.com.au | Phone: 1300 66 44 96 Brickstart Bonus Extended Step Out at Centenary New ABBTF Website to March 2011 Heights Hits the Mark Launched We are pleased to announce that the Queensland ABBTF Manager Tony special ABBTF Brickstart Bonus of Bishop recently received the following $2,000 will be extended until 31 March letter following a Step Out Program at 2011 due to its success in increasing Centenary Heights State High School bricklaying apprenticeship numbers Toowoomba. since its introduction. “Thanks again for another great The Brickstart Bonus was planned to finish program. Steve and Val (Manley) ran the on 12 November in line with the end of program and did a wonderful job. the Federal Government’s Kickstart Extension. The Government has not Steve contacted a few bricklayers while he was in Toowoomba and extended its incentive however, ABBTF A new website has been launched by has continued its support in recognition recommended some boys. I am pleased to say that one of the boys, Zack Glozier, ABBTF as part of a complete redesign of of the timing of school leavers looking to our marketing and communications start an apprenticeship. has been signed up as a School-Based Apprentice. program. Brickstart Bonus was started to supplement www.becomeabricklayer.com.au has Federal Government subsidies and the been redesigned to make it more regular $6,000 ABBTF Brickstart incentive. attractive and informative for those ABBTF is now funding around 89% of seeking a career as a bricklayer or bricklaying apprentices in Qld. This support blocklayer. clearly demonstrates the ABBTF commitment to the construction industry. Geoff Noble, ABBTF's general manager, said that following a review of its The Brickstart Bonus conditions have not operational and marketing strategies, changed and employers should contact the decision was made to redesign the ABBTF to register for the incentive on website. 1300 66 44 96 or visit www.becomeabricklayer.com.au "The website makes it much easier for Congratulations Zack on your choice of young people to find out about a career GTO’s - A Great Option for a bricklaying apprenticeship! in brick and blocklaying. The site is easy to navigate, explains what a bricklayer Bricklayers His employer, Damien Schurmann, is very does and what makes a good bricklayer. Bricklayers should consider the benefits keen to have Zack go full-time at the end It points out all the good reasons for of hiring an apprentice through a Group of the year. We will try to get more becoming a bricklayer, said Geoff Noble. employed. We are so proud of the Training Organisation (GTO), if they are "We are excited about the new website uncertain about future work. students. Thanks once again for your which also details how to get qualified as support. Tim Ryan.” Benefits of using a GTO include a bricklayer, the best sources of receiving the ABBTF apprentice information and the incentives available. employment subsidies of $8,000 over ATO Benchmarks for You can read the ABBTF's State three years. The benefit is passed onto Bricklayers newsletters and media releases on the the employer through a reduced charge site as well. out rate from the GTO. The Australian Taxation Office has released a new range of small business "Visitors to the site can read about the ABBTF has partnerships with GTO’s who benchmarks to promote a level playing many success stories where bricklayers take responsibility for all paperwork field for bricklayers. have gone on to become builders, related to apprentice pay and construction executives and leaders in conditions. For a list of Queensland The performance benchmarks can help the construction field. GTO’s who offer ABBTF subsidies bricklayers to compare their business contact us on 1300 66 44 96 or visit performance to bricklaying businesses of "There is a section for employers which www.becomeabricklayer.com.au a similar size. This can assist businesses explains why it makes good business to see how they can improve their sense to take on an apprentice, the profitability. incentives available and other handy Vale - Steve Hornery information,” Geoff concluded. Bricklayers can also use the benchmarks It is with sadness we report the passing to check that they are on the right path If you are looking for information about of Steve Hornery, a real friend of the with their tax obligations, particularly in the structure and purpose of the ABBTF construction industry and more relation to cash income, with the and its strategies, you can go to another importantly the bricklaying fraternity. opportunity to adjust things if required. website www.abbtf.com.au. This Though he was a very proud website explains who we are, the brick Novocastrian he was always willing to More information, including access to and block companies we represent and assist the bricklaying industry in any state the small business benchmarks, is our strategies to address the skill and was a regular visitor to Queensland available on the Tax Office website www. shortage in bricklaying. to assist in the running of Regional and ato.gov.au/business benchmarks or call National WorldSkills finals. 13 28 66. National REPORT Operating results for 2009/2010 During the year to June 2010 Australian Brick & Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF) achieved the following: • Increased the number of supported apprentices by • Introduced financial support for existing workers to subsidies to their employers based on satisfactory have their bricklaying skills assessed and recognised, training outcomes. The number has increased to 2,144 to enable completion of gap training to achieve a which is 34% higher than 2009. qualification in bricklaying. • Introduction of new Brickstart bonus to employers in • Support and involvement in events at regional and year one in some states as a short term promotion to national levels to promote high achievers and excellence boost apprentice commencements. in bricklaying including WorldSkills, Golden Trowel and Brick Masterclass. • Support for mature aged apprentices or their employers to overcome their financial disadvantage. • Initiate collaborative meetings of TAFE training personnel for validation of the new training package, • More than 2,400 secondary students participated in resource sharing and receiving ABBTF and industry ABBTF Step Out Programs to gain hands-on experience information. in bricklaying. • Creation of new marketing image and logo to focus on • Support for pre-entry training in bricklaying which saw the separate targets of the potential apprentice and to 950 enrolments in preparation for an apprenticeship.