Pindan has more than a dozen trainees on its books – the first time it’s had so many in five years.
In recent months, Pindan has filled four new traineeship positions and signed up two current staff to new traineeships, taking their total number to 13, of which 11 are on registered Training Contracts.
Pindan’s Managing Director, Scott Davison, said the record number of trainees was in large part thanks to the Federal Government’s Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) program.
Under the new measure, employers are eligible for 50 per cent of the wages for a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee for the period up to 30 September 2021, up to $7,000 per quarter.
“This new government initiative, which is part of the COVID-19 recovery plan, has helped pave the way for us to bring on five new staff, including two Indigenous trainees which is incredibly exciting,” Mr Davison shared.
“This support is crucial in aiding the upskilling of staff and will have a positive knock-on effect for the construction and property industry, which is dealing with a skills shortage exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions, for decades to come.”
“It’s also vital in creating new job opportunities and helping provide attractive career paths for school leavers who want to pursue a trade,” he commented.
Pindan’s trainees aged between 17 and 35 include six women, two of whom are Indigenous, and are based in Perth and throughout WA’s regional areas.
The traineeships cover roles from site supervisor to estimator, receptionist, information technology, scheduler and HSE advisor.
Trainee IT support officer, Josh Parkes, was offered a two-year traineeship after first doing work experience at Pindan in 2019 while still at Mazenod College.
“I feel very lucky to have been offered this opportunity, which involves a combination of on-the-job training and completing a Certificate IV in Networking at Pindan’s head office in Belmont, right after graduating high school,” the 18-year-old said.
“I’ve always been interested in computers, which attracted me to the IT industry, so this traineeship has definitely helped put me on the right career path.”
Trainee HSE advisor, Louise Carver, joined the Pindan team last November after being told about the position by a mentor.
“I was studying at Uni but was more interested in getting straight into the workforce, so when this traineeship came up with Pindan, I jumped at the chance,” the 20-year-old commented.
“It’s lots of practical work and, as well as on-the-job training while I complete a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.”
“I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone as I’m learning, which I really enjoy, and I’ve been able to travel regionally as well,” she detailed.
There are 100,000 Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement subsidies available.