From tradie to trainer, Krissie is expanding demand

Krissie Steen is using her carpentry skills to build a new career in construction that has her more in demand than ever.

After 17 years working on construction sites as a carpenter – one of the most in-demand trades in the country – Ms Steen is teaching others thanks to the Construction Industry Training Board’s ‘tradie2trainer’ program.

The fully subsidised program helps experienced construction workers gain a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, followed by a work placement. This can open pathways to casual, part-time and full-time employment within registered training organisations, industry associations, government organisations and building companies.

For those like Ms Steen, mentoring young talent, whether it be in the workplace, classroom or sporting field, comes naturally. In her spare time, she has worked with the Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney Giants in the AFLW, and with South Adelaide and North Adelaide as an SANFL Women’s premiership coach.

But it wasn’t until a chance encounter with a contact at the Master Builders Association that Ms Steen seriously began thinking about expanding her construction industry career.

“I feel my strength is actually in teaching and a friend of mine is a trainer and said, ‘you should really do it’,” Ms Steen said.

“Master Builders are encouraging more females to get into the building industry and after talking about becoming a trainer they put me on to the CITB, which offered to put me through the tradie2trainer program to get my Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

“The CITB helped me put my resume out and within a week I got two interviews and got offered both of those jobs.”

Ms Steen is now a trainer at North East Vocational College and said one of the perks is maintaining a connection to the trades aspect of the construction industry.

“You still get to be outside and on the tools, and you’re out on sites – you’ve still got all of that,” she said.

“You still get to use tools and go out to see builders – you’re still in the industry – and on top of that it’s so rewarding being part of the process helping someone get into a career and supporting them to do that and passing on the knowledge that you’ve clocked up over the years.”

CITB chief executive Andrew Fullgrabe said the tradie2trainer program was a key plank in the CITB’s strategy to retain experienced tradies while also meeting future demand for skilled workers.

Mr Fullgrabe points to a raft of major infrastructure works on the horizon, including the 10-year Torrens to Darlington project, which will require 1000 construction workers by the end of this year, rising to a peak of 5000 in 2026.

“The tradie2trainer program up-skills individuals to become qualified trainers,” Mr Fullgrabe said.

“This enables them to pass on their knowledge and skills for the benefit of the industry and future workforce. Registered Training Organisations also benefit as the supply of qualified construction trainers increases.”

Now in its third year, the tradie2trainer program has seen 57 tradies graduate as qualified trainers. The tradie2trainer program is fully funded and open for registrations of interest.