• Where have our formwork qualifications gone?

  As you are aware the Cert III in Formwork & Falsework is now subsumed into the Cert III in Carpentry. Whilst there are many similarities, and the competency in some aspects of the Cert III Carpentry can be applied to Formwork, it does not satisfy the needs of the formwork industry or the Formwork Code of Practice and Australian Standards.

  Quite simply the Cert III Carpentry, whilst good for residential carpentry is not fit for purpose for formwork. We need to look at formwork as its own qualification without compromises.

  What does this mean for you?

• • No cost savings on hiring an apprentice. (See our apprenticeships info page where you can obtain support in payrolling your apprentice and reduce your workers comp premiums).
  • No formal qualification with a competency or skills matrix to work towards in a High-Risk industry.
  • Weakens the importance of your workers role in the construction cycle.
  • No future skilled workforce.
  • Increase in risk to your business.
  • Increase in costs to your business.

• Did you know?

  The FIA has been campaigning over the last year to have this decision overturned. Working closely with ITAB and TAFE NSW we have campaigned on behalf of our members to have this reviewed and have our objections noted.

  Via ITAB and ARTIBUS the message has now gone to the top of Federal government departments and the FIA is pleased to announce it has secured a review from the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC).

  Without this work there would be no apprenticeships available and FIA members would not be able to reap the rewards of government funding. You wouldn't be able to claim for wage subsidy support or the reduction on your workers compensation insurance. All things that save FIA members money and assist in recouping the cost of your membership, as well as ensuring there are competent and skilled workers on site.

  Competent and skilled workers improve site safety, improve quality of work, and increase productivity all reducing your costs and risks.

  What happens next?

  The FIA CEO will meet with the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to outline the formwork industries objections to this and assist AISC in conducting further research with formwork employers to look at the reasons for engaging apprentices and impediments to engaging apprentices, as well as on-the-job training and the role of Registered Training Organisations in filling training gaps.

  As you are aware the FIA is working on a new education pathway that includes:

• • new Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) processes,
  • a new industry recognised accreditation scheme,
  • easy access to training and learning that is accessible in smaller bite sized chunks and
  • tools to assist workers gain and build evidence of their skills and competencies.

This ensures a competent and trained workforce that is attractive to employ and will reduce costs, increase revenue, ROI and profitability performance for you.

Continue to support the work of the FIA and renew your membership. If you are not a member, what are you waiting for, sign up now and reap the many rewards of supporting your industry association.

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