Bold growth a boost for trades

Bunbury businessman Bob Butson says he has “taken a gamble” in opening a $5 million branch of WA Skills Training in Welshpool in an effort to combat the State’s skills shortage.

Mr Butson, who started his company from a small farm shed in Donnybrook in 1996, bought the 5500sq m warehouse in September to ensure the trade sector continued to advance.

“Everyone jumps up and down that we have a labour shortage, but there is not, we have a skills shortage,” he said.

“Training is hugely important and it will keep them alive.

“Welshpool allows me to build the training that is more realistic to industry, rather than a simulated practical.”

Training and Workforce Development Minister Terry Redman said organisations such as WA Skills Training were imperative to reducing the skills shortage.

“Current projections indicate a shortage of 76,000 skilled workers as the State’s resources sector shifts from a construction phase to a production phase,” he said.

“Although this transition means some of the heat has been taken out of WA’s labour market, the demand for skilled workers is still great.

“Training is absolutely essential to the future economic growth and sustainability of Western Australia and without a skilled local workforce we cannot hope to remain globally competitive into the future.”

Mr Butson said he started the business out of his farm shed as a way to make ends meet.

“Within a couple of months I realised it was bigger than I ever expected and went about formalising the business name,” he said.

Back then Mr Butson conducted one course a week, either in rigging, scaffolding, hydraulics or pneumatics.

Once the business gained enough clients, Mr Butson leased a building in Halifax in 2001, which he still leases today.

“From there I took on staff and the course load was upped to about four classes a week,” he said.

“Nowadays I have 82 direct staff, with a minimum 25 training each day.”

Mr Butson said he no longer taught but was happy to see his business grow.

“I wouldn’t want to do anything else – this job suits my nature and I would like to think I’m good at it,” he said.