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New Alliance brings Significant Growth
East Coast Apprenticeships and BIGA Ltd have entered into an alliance to strengthen the building and construction industry in Queensland. This alliance will seek to synergize the individual strengths of East Coast Apprenticeships with their Group Training and BIGA Ltd with their Registered Training Organisation.
BIGA Ltd has a proud and long tradition as a Group Training Organisation as well as a Registered Training Organisation. For many years, BIGA has supported the recruitment and training of apprentices and trainees predominantly for the building and construction industry. In recent years, the significant role in training that BIGA offers hundreds of apprentices has been growing and has become an even more important and valuable contribution to the growth of a skilled workforce. It is BIGA’s intention to expand this critical role increasing the quality and opportunity to train more apprentices across Queensland.
For BIGA to offer this increased service, BIGA has entered into an alliance with East Coast Apprenticeships. East Coast has worked hard over many years to make a substantial contribution to the building and construction industry by recruiting and supporting excellent apprentices through group training. Together, BIGA and East Coast remain major players in the field of apprenticeships. By working together, both organisations can improve the service we offer and capitalise on each separate organisation’s unique strengths.
Consequently, the Board of BIGA has approved an application to the Department of Education and Training to have all BIGA apprentices transferred to East Coast Apprenticeships. This change will provide excellent management and support to these apprentices for the remainder of their apprenticeships through East Coast The move also allows BIGA to focus on a stronger Registered Training Organisation role while East Coast Apprenticeships will provide outstanding service to apprentices and will continue to coordinate host employer placements. This transfer has the endorsement of the Department of Education and Training and will be finalised by 29th January.
“This is a very exciting time for East Coast and we are working hard to effect this transfer as seamlessly and smoothly for these apprentices.” said CEO Alan Sparks. “As part of this transfer, we will be expanding to take on the previous BIGA traditional support for apprentices in Bundaberg.”
In Bundaberg recently, the CEO met Host Employer Col Cook from Sea Jay Boat Constructions, a major Host Employer for Bundaberg. Soon to be East Coast’s Principal Field Officer, Bundaberg, Shannon Hook will transfer across from BIGA to East Coast Apprentices on 1st February to continue her excellent work in Bundaberg promoting group training and apprenticeships. Dani Woodworth is also joining us at Bundaberg as our new Receptionist/Office Support.
A range of new strategies have been developed to grow the opportunities for apprenticeships in the Bundaberg region and these will commence immediately.
