Written by: Wilhelm Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer, 25 Jul 2012

The national Construction Apprenticeship Mentoring Scheme (CAMS) is calling for volunteers to help build a support network for young building trade apprentices.

Volunteers in the scheme will support Australia’s construction trade apprentices to complete their trade training by providing a helping hand with practical and pastoral support.

CEO of Master Builders Australia, Wilhelm Harnisch said the recruitment and training of volunteers represents the critical next step in the rollout of CAMS.

“Mentoring is a valuable service not widely available to Australia’s young building apprentices. The building and construction industry takes on more apprentices than any other sector, but the industry’s retention rate of apprentices is 58 per cent. Close to 16,000 apprentices drop out each year. This is a major loss to the industry.

“Importantly, the scheme will offer specific mentoring support for out of work apprentices, Indigenous Australians and female apprentices, as well as supporting employers,” Mr Harnisch said.

Volunteer mentors in each state will work with apprentices and help them overcome challenges they have during training.

“The program is looking for volunteer mentors to share their knowledge and experiences to support apprentices and motivate them to complete their training. Mentors will include active or retired tradespeople, or others in the building industry with a strong commitment to help nurture tomorrow’s ‘tradies’,” Mr Harnisch said.

CAMS is being implemented by Master Builders around Australia, with funding assistance from the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education under the Apprenticeship Mentoring Program. 

Mr Harnisch welcomed the Government’s commitment to training young Australians.

“Investment in training young apprentices is an investment in the future. Today’s apprentices will go on to build family homes, schools, hospitals, roads and other vital pieces economic and social infrastructure that will deliver benefits to the community,” he concluded.

Interested volunteers are encouraged to contact CAMS@masterbuilders.com.au to register their interest to become involved in the program