More plumbers in the pipeline for the Gold Coast

TAFE Queensland’s General Manager on the Gold Coast, Karen Dickinson said the state-of-the-art facility at the Ashmore Trade Training Centre is exactly what industry needs to help train the future skilled workers in the region.

“There is great demand for more skilled workers in trades and here on the Gold Coast we are experiencing significant growth, while also dealing with worker shortages,” said Ms Dickinson.

“Training more trades people in new and industry standard facilities is critical to help facilitate that growth.

The new three-storey plumbing tower includes approximately 1000m2 of practical teaching areas and will double the plumbing training capacity with a more useable and flexible space.

Ms Dickinson said the new tower demonstrates TAFE Queensland’s commitment to creating a highly-skilled future workforce for the region.

“Our Trade Training Centre is the largest trade training facility in the region, and the new tower will support almost 800 students currently enrolled in plumbing at the campus while supporting increased enrolments — ensuring we have a bigger pipeline of qualified plumbers coming into the industry,” she said.

“The tower has been designed in consultation with industry to enhance the overall experience for plumbing students as it is important our apprentices are training in modern facilities that offer real learning experiences and prepare them for life on the job.”

Proud Bigambul woman Summer Hodge is a second-year plumbing apprentice employed by local Gold Coast business, McKenzie’s Plumbing Services.

The former accountant gave up her career to start a family and now, after raising three children, Summer is following her passion and will complete her Certificate III in Plumbing ( CPC32420) at the new training facility.

“I’m excited to start training in the new plumbing tower. It’s purpose built and I’ll be using the same equipment and learning the industry-standard skills that I’ll need when I’m out on jobs,” Summer said.

“I may soon be the only CPA [Chartered Accountant] on the Gold Coast with a plumbing trade qualification — how cool is that?”