Queensland’s bricklaying trade is set for a skills boost, with the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation Ltd (ABBTF) rolling out its Lay the Way pre-apprenticeship program across Logan, Ipswich and Far North Queensland.

Funded under the Crisafulli Government’s $2.3 million Growing Workforce Participation Fund, the initiative is one of 13 projects aimed at tackling critical skill shortages, particularly in industries where demand far outweighs the supply of qualified workers.

Building from the ground up

The Lay the Way project will offer up to 36 jobseekers a structured, hands-on pre-apprenticeship program designed to give them the confidence, skills, and industry knowledge needed to step directly into a Certificate III in Bricklaying.

Participants will spend time both in training facilities and on active worksites, gaining exposure to the realities of the trade and the expectations of employers. The ABBTF says the focus will be on providing a clear pathway into the industry not just ticking boxes on technical training.

“Bricklaying is a highly skilled trade that underpins almost every major construction project, from residential builds to large-scale infrastructure,” an ABBTF spokesperson said. “By giving jobseekers the right start, we’re not only helping them secure long-term careers but also addressing a key bottleneck in the construction workforce.”

Why bricklaying is at the heart of the skills shortage

Queensland’s construction sector has been feeling the pinch from a national shortage of qualified bricklayers for more than a decade. The Australian Government’s 2024 Skills Priority List continues to list bricklaying as a trade in shortage, with employers often struggling to fill vacancies despite steady demand.

Bricklayers are essential in residential construction, multi-residential developments, and commercial projects and with the state’s ongoing population growth driving new housing targets, demand isn’t slowing down.

In Logan and Ipswich, strong housing growth corridors are placing extra strain on the available workforce. Far North Queensland, meanwhile, faces the double challenge of attracting skilled workers to regional and remote areas while keeping project timelines on track.

The Lay the Way program aims to address these gaps by training new entrants in the regions where the need is greatest.

Government backing to diversify the workforce

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the Growing Workforce Participation Fund is designed to “give businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders who have experienced a period of unemployment, and provide disadvantaged jobseekers with pre-employment support, so they can join the workforce with confidence.”

Across the 13 funded projects, the initiative will assist up to 392 employers, 428 employees, and 904 jobseekers statewide. The target groups include:

• Young people aged 15 – 24
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• People with disability
• Culturally and linguistically diverse communities
• The long-term unemployed

Bates emphasised the importance of industry-specific programs like Lay the Way:

“These projects create innovative plans to address local skills shortages, diversify our workforce, and strengthen our communities and economy. This is just another way we’re delivering on our promise to secure a pipeline of skilled workers for the future.”

What the pre-apprenticeship will deliver

While many pre-apprenticeships cover the basics, ABBTF’s program is designed with employer expectations front and centre. It includes:

• Practical training in core bricklaying skills — from laying bricks and blocks to understanding structural requirements.
• Workplace readiness skills, including safety compliance, teamwork, and communication.
• Site-based experience, giving participants a taste of real-world conditions.
• Pathway support into full apprenticeships, with ABBTF facilitating introductions to local employers.

Importantly, the program addresses one of the industry’s persistent challenges: retention. Many young apprentices leave within the first year because they are unprepared for the physical demands and work environment. By offering a realistic preview, Lay the Way helps ensure those who go on to a Certificate III are ready for the commitment.

Industry reaction: filling a critical gap

Queensland Master Builders CEO Paul Bidwell welcomed the initiative, saying bricklaying was “a trade where shortages have a direct knock-on effect on the entire construction schedule.”

“If you can’t get bricklayers on site when you need them, everything else gets pushed back,” Bidwell said. “This program is exactly the kind of targeted action we need — training locals, in local areas, with a clear route to employment.”

For small and medium-sized building companies, the benefits are just as tangible. Having access to pre-trained apprentices reduces onboarding costs and speeds up productivity on site.

Diversity as a workforce strength

ABBTF says it will actively promote the program to underrepresented groups, including women in trades and culturally diverse communities, to broaden the talent pool.

This aligns with a broader industry push to make construction more inclusive. While women make up almost half of the Australian workforce, they account for less than 3% of tradespeople in construction.

“Diversity isn’t just about equity,” the ABBTF spokesperson said. “It’s about tapping into the widest possible talent base to ensure our industry can meet demand.”

Long-term vision

The Crisafulli Government has positioned the Growing Workforce Participation Fund as part of its wider Back to Work program. Bates said the aim is to create “access to high quality training and jobs that last”, building not just individual careers but “strong communities and resilient regional economies.”

For ABBTF, success will be measured not just in course completions, but in apprenticeship commencements and long-term retention in the trade.

“Ultimately, we want these 36 participants to become qualified tradespeople who see a future in bricklaying,” the spokesperson said. “That’s how we keep the industry moving.”

A foundation for Queensland’s building future

With housing demand continuing to rise and infrastructure projects in the pipeline, the timing of the Lay the Way program could not be more critical. It addresses an industry pain point with a practical, regionally focused solution and provides a model for how targeted, trade-specific training can deliver measurable results.

If the program meets its targets, it won’t just produce 36 new apprentices it will help secure the state’s capacity to meet its building commitments over the coming decade.

As Minister Bates put it:

“Programs like this are not just about today’s workforce. They’re about creating the skills we need for tomorrow.”

Author: TGB Editorial