By Norm Lyons (Coordinator for the Geelong Secondary Schools Site Visits Program) with Laura Luvara (Master Builders Strategic Communications Adviser)

The future of the building and construction industry depends on engaging and nurturing quality trade apprentices. It’s a harsh fact that many secondary school students discount a trade career based purely on the perceived financial burden and initial challenge. Yet about 11 per cent of the Australian youth population is neither working nor studying full time.

Most schools will promote careers that require a university degree, often overlooking or providing a diminished focus on vocational training. The reality is that a career in building and construction is one that can be challenging to start with, but has a satisfying pay off.

It’s up to those who have travelled this road to not only tell school leavers about their vocational options but to encourage them towards a trade, if they are so inclined, in order to nurture the next generation of builders. If we don’t, the future of our industry will suffer.

This responsibility to foster the next generation is one that Lyons Construction Executive Director Norm Lyons takes very seriously; so much so that he, with the help of other Geelong Section members, now runs a secondary school site visit program where students visit construction sites. The program took shape during the Geelong Section meetings, for which Norm is a past chairman, during discussions about how to invest in and encourage the next generation.

Norm has coordinated four site visits over the past three years, most recently taking 60 students to Lyons Construction’s Star of the Sea aged care facility, and and a JM Homes housing site, both at Torquay. This was held with the cooperation of local secondary schools and the Gordon TAFE.

“I feel it’s something very worthwhile and something I encourage other sections to do because we are going to need tradespeople for the future,” Norm says.“Unless you’ve got them coming as apprentices, we’re going to be short. It’s a good thing and the kids get a lot out of it.”
Norm’s 10 tips for successful school site visits

1. Fire up!

Impress upon your local section members, friends or people in your community the urgent need to attract secondary school students to apprenticeships.

2. Form a committed group

…of interested people to get the job done.

3. Meet with representatives of your local TAFE

It needs to be a partnership with them. They will be interested because it promotes their organisation.

4. Set a date

Have the TAFE liaise with local secondary schools about a date for a site visit to two or three of your members’ housing projects. Schools will need a minimum of three months’ notice to build it into their program/curriculum.

5. Distribute a flyer to the schools

This should advertise the event – providing opportunity for students to get a better insight into the great careers available in the construction industry. The flyer must include a form for parents to give permission.

6. Arrange sponsorship

Ask the major and smaller building material suppliers to sponsor the student site visits. The main cost will be the hire of the buses. Also, ask your local hardware store or tool retailer for a few vouchers to give as prizes as correct answers to a quiz. They may also be happy to provide caps, t-shirts or other items as giveaways.

7. Ask Master Builders for help

They will help with the organising and provide show bags with other promotional items for each student.

8. The building sites

It’s best if they are in close proximity so not too much time is spent travelling from one to the other. Above all, they need to have tradespeople on site carrying out the basic trades (bricklaying, carpentry, plastering, painting, etc). The students need to see what the tradespeople are doing and be able to talk to them.

9. Supervision and guidance

Have sufficient, experienced builders to help with the site visit and to help answer questions. Make sure you have enough high-visibility vests for everyone and provide a short site induction with the builder, giving an explanation about the project. The site visits must be organised through the schools as they have the necessary insurance cover.

10. Barbecue and TAFE tour

Ask your TAFE to provide a barbecue and a tour of their building department training facilities. Have the students return by bus to the TAFE for the barbecue and to talk and ask questions about the day. Have someone give a short inspirational talk (e.g. a young successful builder who, not long ago, started as an apprentice). Thank your sponsors and supporters.

Norm Lyons is a life member of Master Builders Association of Victoria.