Rod Talbot, owner of Talbot Bricklaying had just begun to breathe life back into his small business after recovering from a car accident late last year. Business was picking up and it was time to start thinking about hiring an extra hand.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect when Katrina Curcuruto called, asking if he was interested in hiring her as an apprentice brickie. Katrina had recently completed a Skilling Queenslanders for Work program, undertaking a bricklaying course through BUSY At Work, and was keen to get into the industry with her new-found skills.
Katrina says “Bricklaying wasn’t something I had considered before but when the opportunity to do the course came up I grabbed it. The course was easier than I thought it would be and I did well in the training. Once the course finished I just got on the phone and started ringing bricklayers in my area. Rod was the first call I made which was pretty lucky! I’m really enjoying the work, I prefer being outdoors than in an office, it suits me perfectly”.
Rod hadn’t considered taking on an apprentice (he hadn’t had an apprentice in over 40 years) but together with the Department of Small Business and Training’s support through the ‘Works Start initiative’ and BUSY At Work’s apprenticeship support team, Rod signed up Katrina – and he couldn’t be happier!
“Katrina is better than any of the blokes I’ve had working for me, she is more reliable and always willing to do whatever work I ask of her, there’s never a drama. We do a lot of insurance work, fences at the moment but all sorts of small household renovations and things. Katrina is a really decent bricklayer and I’m glad to have her on board”, stated Rod.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work is funded by the Queensland Government and offers training opportunities for job seekers looking to gain workplace skills and increase their chances of finding employment. Under this successful program, BUSY At Work offers short courses in industries such as hospitality, child care or construction.
“Katrina’s story is a great example of how having the right skills, at the right time, can increase a job seekers chance of finding employment. Skilling Queenslanders for Work gives job seekers the opportunity to gain sought-after industry skills that local employers are looking for, as well as incentives for employers to put on the graduating students. We are really happy for Katrina and Rod Talbot and look forward to hearing how Katrina progresses in the building industry”, Paul Miles, Managing Director of BUSY At Work stated.
You can find more information regarding BUSY’s upcoming courses through Skilling Queenslanders for Work, or call BUSY At Work on 13 28 79
