Former Skill Hire apprentice turned Host Employer Jackson Della Franca is lending his experience and expertise to the next generation of bricklayers, earning him a nomination for Employer Trainer of the Year Award at the MBA WA Awards.
Jackson completed a pre-apprenticeship program in high school, paving the way for his future success.
After completing his four-year Bricklaying Apprenticeship with Skill Hire, the 26-year-old Jackson wasted no time in establishing his own business, JDF Bricklaying.
Now a Skill Hire Host Employer, Jackson’s commitment to providing pathways for new tradies continues. He wants to give back and provide young people with the opportunity to explore the trade. “I’m always happy to help out students when they have them because they need the opportunity to learn. They don’t know, so it’s important to get them on the tools and give them a chance to see if they like the trade,” he explains.
Understanding the unique challenges apprentices face, Jackson takes great pride and responsibility in supporting and guiding his apprentices. “I think it’s really important to get them on the trowel as soon as possible. That’s how you get them trained up and skilled, I see apprentices and I can tell they haven’t been given the opportunity to develop those skills early and that’s really important for businesses and for the industry,” he said.
Jackson shared insight into the realities of trades careers, and how the right mentoring and training is crucial to developing adaptability and perseverance for those pursuing a career.
Despite these challenges, Jackson has found immense success and stability, mainly through hard work and strong relationships with local building companies. For Jackson, investing in training has paid off, with several of his apprentices being recognised at various awards over the years.
The Employer Trainer of the Year award acknowledges employers’ dedication to the apprenticeship system and their exceptional training quality and innovative approach to apprenticeship training.
These awards underscore the importance of supportive environments and opportunities for acknowledgment in the industry. By being recognised for their work, apprentices can gain confidence in their abilities and be inspired to continue developing their skills.
