Building Industry Liaison
Panel Contracts
A number of consultant panel arrangements are used to enable the efficient and cost-effective procurement of consultants for delivery of new government buildings. Panel Contracts manages these arrangements; a role which includes contract development and review, performance reporting, the development of procedures and policies relating to the panels, and assessing new applications for panel membership. In addition, Panel Contracts provides advice and information to industry and government clients on the operation of panel arrangements.
For further information on consultant panel arrangements, please contact Gaynor Boros by phone on (08) 6551 1790 or by email at Gaynor.Boros@finance.wa.gov.au
Tenders Office
Building Management and Works (BMW) projects subject to tender are listed on the Western Australian State Government website Tenders WA - www.tenders.wa.gov.au
The Tenders WA website provides information on tenders from a wide range of government agencies, contact details and deadlines for submissions. Users can create a new account or log on using existing account information, which will allow them to download a tender.
Optima Centre Tenders Office location:
Ground floor,
16 Parkland Road,
Osborne Park WA 6017
Postal Address:
Locked Bag 44, CLOISTERS SQUARE WA 6850
Telephone: (08) 6551 2345
Facsimile: (08) 6551 2333
Email: tenderingservices@finance.wa.gov.au
Office Hours: 8:30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
Who do I contact for any queries about a tender or contract?
For any specific tender or contract enquiries please direct enquiries to the nominated Project Manager or Contract Manager as described in the tender documentation.
For general queries about Works and Goods and Services Tenders, please contact the Tenders Office:
Email: tenderingservices@finance.wa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 6551 2345
Fax: (08) 6551 2333
For any technical difficulties browsing Tenders WA or downloading tender documentation, please contact Tenders WA Support Team on:
Email: tenderswa@finance.wa.gov.au
Phone: (08) 6551 2020
Apprentice Management Program
Background
The The Apprentice Management Program is a business unit of the Department of Finance (Building Management and Works).
The Apprentice Management Program manages the placement and training of apprentices and trainees with host employers undertaking Government building and construction projects.
The aim of the Program is to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the building and construction industry by developing a scheme that attracts and retains apprentices and trainees in a variety of construction-related occupations.
As the Department of Finance is not in a position to directly indenture (employ) apprentices and trainees, it has formed relationships with a number of Group Training Organisations (GTOs). These GTOs employ and manage apprentices and trainees across Western Australia on behalf of the Department of Finance. GTOs were selected via a competitive tender process, based on their experience in the industry and demonstrated history of successful management of apprentices and trainees.
Currently, the Apprentice Management Program has a Panel arrangement in place with the following Group Training Organisations:
Apprenticeships Australia Pty Ltd.
Apprentice and Traineeship Company (ATC)
ATC Worksmart
Electrical Group Training (EGT)
Kimberley Group Training Inc.
MPA Skills
Skilled Group Training Services
Skill Hire
West Australian Group Training Scheme Inc (WAGTS)
Priority Start - Building Policy (PSBP)
The Priority Start – Building Policy is a policy that applies to all Western Australian State Government building and construction projects (including civil and engineering projects) with a labour component in excess of $300,000.
Successful tenderers for such projects are required to meet a pre-determined training requirement by providing training opportunities for a target number of apprentices or trainees. These apprentices or trainees must be engaged for the full duration of the contract. The Apprentice Management Program assists successful contractors to meet the requirements of this policy.
Head contractors must possess Priority Start registration in order to be eligible to undertake any State Government building or construction work (including civil and engineering work) with an estimated labour component in excess of $300,000.
More information on the training requirements of the Priority Start – Building Policy (including how to register) is available from the Department of Training and Workforce Development www.dtwd.wa.gov.au
Benefits for employers and apprentices
Host employers can benefit from engaging Apprentice Management Program apprentices and trainees because:
Group Training Organisations arrange recruitment, paperwork, payroll and administration for the apprentice or trainee
Subsidy arrangements reduce the direct cost of engaging apprentices and trainees (see below for subsidy details).
Apprentices or trainees can be engaged for the term of government contracts, in order to meet contractual training requirements.
Field officers and/or mentors provide support to the apprentices or trainees.
Apprentices and trainees can also benefit from involvement in the Apprentice Management Program. They will:
Gain valuable experience working on large government building and construction projects
Receive support from experienced Group Training Organisations
Be provided with opportunities to undertake additional training and development, often at no extra cost. This may include courses such as Working At Heights, First Aid, or small business courses
Learn additional skills from a variety of employers and undertake many types of work.
Trades
The Apprentice Management Program supports apprentices and trainees in the following construction-related occupations:
General Construction / Construction Maintenance (Traineeship)
Carpentry and Joinery (Apprenticeship)
Painting and Decorating (Apprenticeship)
Electrical (Apprenticeship)
Plumbing and Gas-fitting (Apprenticeship)
Areas of operation
The areas of operation and numbers of apprentices and trainees supported, are determined by the amount of eligible Government building and construction work throughout the State.
Financial incentives
The Apprentice Management Program provides a wage subsidy to host employers, as an incentive to employ apprentices and trainees. The subsidy model balances the costs of an apprentice with the benefits to the host employer.
The current subsidy rates are:
A variety of other subsidies and assistance programs are also available to apprentices and trainees through the Commonwealth Government http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/ and the WA Construction Training Fund http://bcitf.org/. These subsidies can provide a substantial reduction to the cost of engaging an apprentice or trainee.
Non-mainstream program
The Department of Finance is committed to social responsibility and aims to make a positive contribution to community outcomes through its activities. To this end, the Apprentice Management Program provides a higher rate subsidy to ‘non-mainstream’ apprentices and trainees. Non-mainstream apprentices and trainees are defined as:
People who may experience difficulty with obtaining or completing an apprenticeship or traineeship due to personal circumstances.
Groups who are not proportionally represented in, or commonly associated with, the building and construction industry.
A variety of other subsidies and assistance programs are also available to non-mainstream apprentices and trainees through the Commonwealth Government http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/ and the WA Construction Training Fund http://bcitf.org/. These subsidies can provide a substantial reduction to the cost of engaging a ‘non-mainstream’ apprentice or trainee.
Achievements
The Apprentice Management Program has supported over 500 apprentices and trainees, including approximately 40 non-mainstream apprentices and trainees.
In 2012, an apprentice supported by the Apprentice Management Program won the Ric New Rising Star Award, presented by the Master Builders Association. This award recognises individuals who have overcome adversity to make a significant contribution to the building and construction industry.
In 2011, an AMP apprentice won the award of ‘Best Female Apprentice’, and in 2010 an AMP apprentice won the Master Builders Association ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Award.
The Apprentice Management Program also received a 2009 Premier’s Award in the category of ‘Developing the Economy’.
The Apprentice Management Program continues to develop partnerships with employers, subcontractors, industry bodies and training organisations in order to facilitate the placement and support of apprentices and trainees within the building and construction industry.
Contact Us
Apprentice Management Program
Department of Finance (Building Management and Works)
Address: Optima Centre
16 Parkland Road
Osborne Park WA
Postal: Locked Bag 44
Cloisters Square WA 6850
Telephone: +61 8 6551 1801
Facsimile: +61 8 6551 2333
Email:apprenticeships@finance.wa.gov.au