Media Release
29 March 2010
MASTER BUILDERS WELCOMES FUNDING FOR
ADDITIONAL TRAINING PLACES
Statement by Wilhelm Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer
Master Builders Australia, the peak body for the building and construction industry, today
welcomed the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, The
Hon Julia Gillard MP, for the further expansion of training under the Government’s Enterprise
Based Productivity Places (EBPPP) training program.
Mr Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia said: “This additional training will
further assist industry to deal with emerging skills shortages and an ageing workforce.
“The Government’s response is timely and well targeted and will help the building and
construction industry better address the
considerable challenges arising from the projected
expansion of the resources sector over the next five–ten years.
“Add to this the future skill demands in addressing the shortfall in housing, the completion of
the Building the Education Revolution program in the short to medium term, and the
Government’s planned infrastructure program over the next decade, thus making the need
for this additional investment in training an imperative if the building and construction industry
is to meet the challenge ahead.
Mr Harnisch said, “A comprehensive response is necessary by Government and industry,
and for all areas of the national training system to be delivering results;
the EBPPP
announcement today will contribute to the development of valuable skills to address these
challenges.”
Under the EBPPP, Master Builders will deliver training to its members through an industry
funding model, which is designed to up skill the existing workforce using nationally consistent
training within the Australian Qualifications Framework which will include trade, building and
site management qualifications.
Expressions of interest in the EBPPP were co-ordinated through the Industry Skills Councils,
and for the building and construction industry through the Construction and Property
Services Industry Skills Councils.
Contact:
Wilhelm Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer
Mobile: 0402 039 039
Neil Gow, National Manager Training Policy
Mobile: 0412 699 565