Skills to work safely at heights was the most popular subsidised training for Queensland tradies this year.

The Safety at Heights course topped a list of most sought after industry training courses for 2018 released by Queensland’s peak body for construction skills and training.

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) has shared its top five courses for the year in a bid to encourage more tradies to upskill and build their career in 2019.

The top 5 CSQ subsidised courses in 2017-18 (Oct-Sep) included:

  1. Working safely at heights
  2. Enter and work in confined spaces
  3. Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business
  4. Conduct civil construction skid steer loader operations
  5. Licence to operate a forklift truck

CSQ Chief Executive Officer Brett Schimming said many of the top five courses had been popular for some time, however, a few were only recently added to the subsided course list.

“We began subsidising ‘Licence to operate a forklift truck’ just last year when the industry told us this was a key skill that many construction businesses need on the job site every day.

“The data is certainly bearing this out, with the new course making its way into the top 5 in its first year.
“Another notable trend has been the rise in popularity of ‘Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business’ which has increased by almost 60% since 2014.

“In Queensland, 99% of construction businesses are small businesses. CSQ has been promoting the message that a tradie’s business skills are just as important as their trade skills. These numbers suggest that that message is finally starting to cut through.

“With construction insolvencies on the rise it is more important than ever that subcontractors have a clear understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities on the job.

“A mention must also go to ‘Licence to Perform Dogging’, which came in at number 6, up from tenth place in the previous year. A key function on any job site that uses a crane is the dogman – responsible for slinging loads and directing the crane’s movement from the ground.

“The rise in popularity of this course might reflect the increased focus of the industry on heavy construction, such as large commercial and infrastructure projects, which make wide use of cranes,” he said.

Mr Schimming said the end of the year was a great time to consider new study and career options available within the building and construction industry.

“The new year is a perfect time to take stock of your career and consider potential new pathways,” he said.

“If you are a career seeker or career changer looking to work in the building and construction industry, you may be eligible for CSQ funded training under one of our programs.

“If you are already working in the industry, you may be eligible for CSQ funded training to advance or expand your existing skills,” he said.