Training UK tradespeople for work in ACT

The Downunder Tradies group, which has offices in Canberra and London, has partnered with the CIT’s Fyshwick Trade Skills Centre to provide gap training for United Kingdom electricians wanting to relocate to Canberra.

Chief Minister and Minister for Business and Economic Development Jon Stanhope noted that CIT was the only training organisation in Australia delivering this program offshore by basing a teacher in the UK.

“One of the greatest barriers for UK tradespeople wanting to live and work in Australia is the need to gain additional qualifications to meet strict licensing standards,” he said. “The Downunder Tradies group in partnership with the CIT is helping tradespeople to access gap training, gain the necessary qualifications, and make a smooth transition to work in Australia.

“The ACT needs a steady stream of residential builders and tradespeople to support the Government’s accelerated land release program, which is helping to satisfy a historic demand for housing in the national capital.”

At the end of October, representatives from the ACT Government, CIT, Master Builders Association, the ACT Regional Building and Construction Training Council and Downunder Tradies met to discuss how the training scheme could be further developed to attract qualified tradespeople to the ACT.

“The ACT Government’s ‘Live in Canberra’ and ‘Skilled and Business Migration’ programs agreed to actively promote the training scheme to all UK-based tradespeople who enquire about living and working in Canberra,” Stanhope continued. “The scheme will be promoted through the Live in Canberra website and as part of the government’s participation in international career expos.

“The Downunder Tradies group was already making a difference with several electricians being sponsored by Canberra employers. One electrician from the UK program has commenced work in Canberra with others to follow shortly. The program could be extended to other trades if successful.”

The ACT Government also remains focused on programs that support local apprenticeships and training, which are aimed at addressing skills shortages in the longer term.