It is with regret that the Victorian Government have decided to no longer fund Industry Training Advisory Bodies. Therefore BICCIAB will closing, at a date to be confirmed, during 2012. John McNally and Jane Clancy wish to thank all the people they have worked with over the 5 years of BICCIAB's worthy existence. We are operating as business as usual until the office officially closes down.

BICCIAB are the Industry Advisory Body for the Building and Construction, Civil Construction and Plumbing industries in Victoria. Our role is to provide advice on Vocational Educational and Training issues and to promote the industry utilising information that is accurate, reliable and reflects the needs of Victorian stakeholders.

BICCIAB provides authoritative, independent information on training needs, and promotes skills development and take-up of training by businesses in our industries.

Did you know that there were 53,852 dwellings commenced in Victoria during 2011, 9% less than in 2010. New South Wales recorded 30,569 dwellings, 7% fewer than in 2010 and Queensland fell 16% to 25, 719 dwellings. Both WA nad SA commenced 20% fewer dewellings with 19,520 and 9607 dwelling commencements respectively.

SmartCompany, the on-line newspaper have reported on the 19th of March 2012 that the building and construction industries have had a poor start to the year, with more than 80 firms entering administration, liquidation or being hit by a winding up notice over the past month on the east coast alone.

A SmartCompany review of insolvency appointments shows that companies in earthmoving, project development, kitchens, fencing, civil engineering, plumbing, electricians and plasters have recently collapsed.

Thank you very much to the industry representatives who have contributed to this years Market Facilitation Report. Deloitte Access Economics will be collating this information together with their 2012 forecasts into an excellent picture of building and construction skills data.

Thank you to the industry and training leaders who attended the Annual BICCIAB Industry Forum 'Regulation and the Built Environment' on the 26th of October 2011.

 Congratulations to Laurice Temple, President of NAWIC Vic/Tas branch, on this great article published in the Weekend Australian. For the full story click here.

Snapshot...

 SkillEx was recently held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, with thousands of visitors attending. Skillex showcased industries in the state facing current and future skill shortages. BICCIAB's very own John McNally attended and took these great snaps of some of our friends at the event.

Update: 10 October 2011

Since the first workshop held to identify issues surrounding shortages in the Building Surveying profession, a 'Building Surveying Training Working Group' has been established. This group includes representation from private and municipal Building Surveyors and Inspectors, the Building Commission and Registered Training Organisations.

Members of the group include:

Skills Victoria have released the annual "Victorian skill needs in 2011: A summary of industry intelligence". BICCIAB contributed significantly to the outcomes in the report, with our thanks going to the many businesses and industry representatives who participated.

Don't just labour - get qualified. Take the next step - use your existing skills to get your qualification. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process makes it easy. We can help you and our advice is free!

Our industry needs to increase the number of workers who have formal qualifications and BICCIAB want to help you.

BICCIAB are here to help! If you are a woman living in Victoria and you are interested in becoming a plumber we have a person who you can contact for advice.

Jane has contacts with training providers, employers and other women 'tradies' and can help you with advice about where to start.

The Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) and the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council (APCC) have released a "Guideto Project Initiation for Project Sponsors, Clients and Owners". The guide was prepared by a joint working group of both organisations.

Changes to the Victorian vocational education and training system encourage staff up-skilling  For Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd, a company that has created its own Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to meet its skills training needs, taking the Victorian Skills Pledge made good sense.

Did you now that you can suggest changes to the CPC08 Training Package as part of the CPSISC Continuous Improvement Process? Found a core unit that is just not right? Do apprentices and their employers agree with you? Well then log on to CPSISC's website and have your say.