As you are aware, the FIA has been advocating and working hard to ask the government to reconsider the training needs of the formwork industry, to provide apprenticeship pathways and appropriate funding channels to improve the safety and quality in our industry.
Since the AISC’s approval to supersede the Certificate Formwork/Falsework qualification by CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry, the Formwork industry has raised concerns and highlighted the importance of structured training due to significant safety issues, the number of large infrastructure projects across Australia and the need for skilled labour.
The first part of a campaign for a new formwork training and education pathway is to ask The AISC to provide a new formwork qualification that is relevant, up to date and provides value to our members and the industry.
The FIA is pleased to announce that The AISC has requested the Construction IRC undertake stakeholder consultation to:
- reconsider the training needs of the formwork industry and
- if required, bring forward a proposal for a training package development project to address the training needs of the formwork sector to the February 2022 Committee meeting.
Initial consultation has been held with the IRC, major infrastructure employers and representatives from the Formwork Industry Association (FIA), the Civil Construction Industry via the Civil Contractors Federation SA (CCFSA) and NSW TAFE.
This initial consultation has indicated that the required units of competency for such a qualification are mostly already available on the National Training Register and that the requirement is to package them into a stand alone AQF level III qualification.
This following draft qualification is being put forward as suitable for meeting the needs of this sector – your feedback is now being sought through the survey. The feedback survey closes 31st of January, 2022.
The FIA asks that you and your colleagues complete the survey ASAP via the links. It should take no more than 10 mins to complete and consists of eleven questions.
PROVIDE FEEDBACK
As per the revised Formwork Code of Practice, it is absolutely imperative that as many formwork companies and workers complete this survey to ensure change happens.
The importance of this to our industry and to your financial pockets is huge, not to mention the importance to the safety of our workers.
Without this change:
- You will not have a formwork qualification
- You will not be able to access government funding for apprentices
- You will not be allowed to pitch for government infrastructure projects in some States
- You will not be able to meet future learning quotas
- You will not be able to conform to future safety standards
- Your access to skilled labour will significantly reduce.
Look out for updates and if you want to speak to us for more information do not hesitate to contact me.
We attach a link to the feedback form below.
Thank you in advance - and remember 'Together We Are Stronger'.
PROVIDE FEEDBACK
