A trailblazing apprenticeship program is tackling the sector’s skilled labour shortage by empowering the next generation of professionals.
Utility construction sites are high-risk environments, and personnel working with live high-voltage assets or active water infrastructure need to be highly experienced to tackle these complex projects.
But many of the seasoned professionals the sector relies on are now approaching retirement age, and there’s not enough skilled workers to take their place.
It was clear that the sector urgently needed a new generation of industry-ready professionals, especially ones who are certified to work around live assets, and in 2019 a group of crane companies banded together to find a solution.
Quinlan Cranes Founder and Director, Tom Quinlan, recognised that the right education was the foundation of expertise, so – in partnership with P&D Rigging and Crane Hire Managing Director, Barry Stockdale, and Mobile Cranes CEO, Peter Booth – he launched the Victorian Mobile Crane Training Apprenticeship (VMCTA).
Setting up success
According to VMCTA Training Coordinator, Kylie Owen, a prospective crane operator is technically qualified to get out on the field after just five days of training.
“It’s a very high-risk industry, but you and I could go to a registered training organisation over the next five days and get what we call a ‘dogman’s ticket’ and could go out in the field,” Ms Owen said.
“A good operator is someone that’s done their time on the ground in a dogman’s role. They’re basically the eyes and ears of the crane operator, and to be successful as an operator, you should know what’s happening on the ground.
“So, Tom, Barry and Peter said, ‘why don’t we bring them in very green, but we train them in a controlled environment over a two-year period’?”
Ms Owen explained that they also saw this as an opportunity for the older workforce to pass down their skills and mentor the next generation.
“If you’re going to implement something innovative, involve the older generation in the concept and make it a communal, collaborative effort.
“The old culture was to keep your craft to yourself, but the younger generation can’t learn what we know from a book or from a telephone.
“If you involve them in the conversation at the very early days, you’ll find that the older generation will feel empowered because their voice has been heard. They then get to share their wisdom and you get a very united team.”
A job for life
Now on its tenth group, Ms Owen said that the program has seen a 97 per cent retention rate post-graduation – but the aim of the VMCTA program isn’t just to hand out a qualification, it’s to set the younger generation up with a job for life.
“After two years they will graduate with what’s called a C6 ticket, but generally around three years post-graduation is when they actually start to get a bit of crane time.”
“It doesn’t just end there. We’ve now got a supervisor’s course that can run 12 months after they’ve graduated, and we want to really bridge the gap between the ageing workforce and today’s youth and set them up with actual careers.”
Ms Owen said that she wants the VMCTA graduates to be able stand tall and be proud to have a career in construction.
“Everyone, as a collective, acknowledges this job is gruesome. We say pack your breakfast, lunch and tea, because we don’t know what time you’re going to come home. We’ve all learned the hard way. So, we’re trying to share our wisdom about wellness as well.
“What we’re trying to do is not only teach them the tricks of the trade, but all the other life skills that they need to be successful at this job. It’s not just ‘get a ticket, get on the ground’. It’s a well-rounded human that comes out at the end.”
Meet the next generation
While the program’s trainees are an incredibly diverse group, the one thing that they all share is a real and genuine love of the industry.
For Ashleigh Bond, it was working a traffic management job alongside Quinlan Cranes that inspired her to take up a career in the industry.
“I always enjoyed being outdoors and working with my hands. When I was working in traffic management I just enjoyed working with cranes – that’s what got me into going and getting my dogman’s ticket,” she said.
Ms Bond is now set to complete the program in March 2025, and has nothing but praise for the VMCTA.
“They’re alongside you the whole way. All the staff there have been amazing and if you’ve got any questions, they’re just there to support you – Kylie’s like your little cheerleader in the background.
“The knowledge that they pass on is second to none, and I’m glad I’m doing it through the traineeship, and I didn’t just get my ticket on my own,” she said.
Ms Bond said one of the highlights of the apprenticeship was her peers.
“I get along really well with them, and because we all started at the same time, it’s nice to be on the same level when we talk about work and bounce off one another,” she said.
First year trainee, Vaughn Adams, said that the program gives everyone an equal opportunity to get their foot in the door.
“The trainers are very knowledgeable, and I find you could relate to them regardless of where you come from – they cater to pretty much everyone and anything,” he said.
“I came into the traineeship just to try and make it easier on my body. But it’s instilled a want to stay within this industry for the long run.
“I’ve known many other crane operators, and they wish they had something like this around their time. Back then, you had to have a relationship with a someone within the industry, not just to be able to get in the industry, but also to gain the knowledge and experience.
“But with this traineeship, you can come in knowing nothing and coming out knowing a lot.”
Ms Owen said she can’t stress enough that the key to a successful career is the ability to be your authentic self.
“What you want to be known for is your great work ethic, your integrity – and it doesn’t matter what your gender identity or your ethnicity is, we’re here for everybody,” she said.
“I think the younger generation are better at doing this. Our intakes are groups of all varied ages, different backgrounds, men and women, but they just seem to bond like a family.”
A supportive environment
According to Ms Owen, one of the key drivers of the program’s success was that the employer is the one choosing the trainee.
She said that despite the business’ success, both Mr Quinlan, and Quinlan Cranes second Director, Sacha Sikka, still take a very hands‑on approach.
“They just get on the ground, get dirty and get to know their workers – and they really listen to them,” Ms Owen said.
Quinlan Cranes apprenticed the program’s youngest ever trainee, Sam Fonesca.
“Tom has an eye for someone who’s got a natural gift with operating equipment. Sam was 18 or 19 when he came in; he was sassy and had a little bit of an attitude – but Tom saw something in him,” Ms Owen said.
“Sam graduated a couple of years ago, and already he’s operating one of their 250 cranes.”
Ms Owen said that the team at Quinlan Cranes are very passionate about their involvement in the program, and they don’t choose their apprentices lightly.
“They really get to know their people, and they choose appropriate mentors that can bring out the best in them,” she said.
Ms Bond had a similar story to tell.
“Quinlan has been great. They’ve all been very helpful, and they push me to my limits in a good way,” she said.
“They get me outside my comfort zone and helped me prove to myself that I can do things that was doubting myself on.”
For Ms Owen, the right person for job is someone who truly loves what they do.
“If you’re passionate about what you do, it won’t seem like work,” she said.
“We had an amazing young woman who started off her career as a hairdresser, and then when COVID hit she took a career change to advanced cranes. She finished her traineeship at 33 weeks pregnant and did an extraordinary job – she didn’t miss a beat.
“We had to modify a few things, but she just got on with the job and she truly loves it.”
Following the success of the VMCTA, three other traineeships have been formed: the Victorian Scaffolding Traineeship Association (VSTA), the Victorian Demolition Traineeship Association (VDTA) and the Victorian Civil Traineeship Association (VCTA).
“We have a large Indigenous cohort in the civil traineeship, and that has been the most rewarding part of my year,” Ms Owen said.
“For some of these young individuals it would be highly unusual that they have the opportunity to hold a full-time job, let alone get a Certificate III, and it’s truly rewarding to see someone putting belief into them, giving them the time and listening to what they want to do.”
Ms Owen encourages the next generation not to give up on a career they’re truly passionate about.
“Every door that gets closed and every knockback you get – make that the motivation to stand tall and say, ‘you think I can’t do it? You watch. I can’.”
For more information, visit quinlancranes.com.au