“Our industry, and my business, is only as good as the people we have working for us. To be recognised as one of the best in the country is a huge achievement that reflects the effort that we put into training and helping our people become the best they can be,” Ms McDowell said.
“We like to have about 12 apprentices working in our teams at any time. I’m a strong advocate for training and teaching our apprentices and building up the industry as much as we can.
“We provide bespoke training plans for our plumbers as well as funding and time away from work to build on their qualifications. About 90 per cent of our apprentices complete Certificate IV, which means they can do specialized work and provide a better overall service to our customers, as well as progress their careers.”
Apprentice plumber Charlise Hadolt said she’d always dreamed of being a tradie and found a perfect match for her ambitions in Cath McDowell and Howrah Plumbing.
“I always wanted to be a builder. Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved to be out with dad and building things. I’ve always loved being hands-on and I’m not scared to get my hands dirty. Cath is a great role model, and I love working and learning here at Howrah Plumbing. There are so many benefits like the training and the money. In a trade you’re always going to have work.”
On awards night, Howrah Plumbing was recognised as having a strong focus on workforce investment and lifelong learning with around 40 per cent of staff engaged in training. Howrah Plumbing recently established an apprentice mentoring program, focussed on enhancing technical skills, confidence and well-being, which is another innovation that led to their national recognition.
Minister for Skills and Training, Felix Ellis said Howrah Plumbing’s recognition was well-deserved.
“We know that by putting trainees and apprentices at the centre and investing in our people, we can future-proof our workforce for years to come.
“With the recent launch of the Tasmanian Skills Plan, the Tasmanian Government is ensuring our people gain the practical skills they need to secure job opportunities and succeed.”