Sporting heroes help future tradies reach the final siren

• The Crisafulli Government is delivering an Australian-first program which will help hundreds of carpentry apprentices complete their qualifications. 
• Breakers program will team sports stars with apprentices to keep them engaged in their courses, and dedicated coaches will help mentor the next generation of Queensland carpenters.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy and turning the tide on Labor’s dire skills shortages by keeping young apprentices on the tools and boosting apprenticeship completion rates. 

The Crisafulli Government is helping hundreds of carpentry apprentices stay on track and complete their training by backing an innovative new program designed to keep them engaged with their learning. 

The Breakers program will be run by Carpentry Australia and support 350 apprentices and 260 employers by providing mentoring, fostering high-performance team culture and encouraging the next generation to get to the finish line of their courses. 

Labor’s decade of decline created a dire shortage of workers across Queensland with a predicted peak shortfall of 50,000 skilled workers in the construction industry alone. 

In a clear sign the tide is turning on Labor’s failures, that peak shortfall has already eased significantly under the Crisafulli Government, with a record number of apprenticeship completions delivered in 2025-26 and a 24.2 per cent surge in the number of new construction apprentices beginning their training. 

The Australian-first initiative will use dedicated coaches, digital support and the power of community, including champion athletes and sporting heroes, to keep apprentices in the trade and encourage the ongoing development of careers in construction.  

The Breakers program will provide structured support for apprentices and strengthen the link between them, their employers and training providers with the level and style of assistance driven by a tailored approach to meet their individual needs.  

Apprentices can access dedicated mentoring and equipment starter kits, while others will benefit from various team-building events and the establishment or reinforcement of support networks. 

Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the Breakers program would help build on the Crisafulli Government’s strong apprenticeship completion rates. 

“We’ve made a huge dent in Labor’s construction workforce shortage but we know there’s still a lot of work to do, which is why it’s critical we back projects to keep our future tradies on the tools and get them to the finish line of their courses,” Minister Bates said. 

“We are delivering a generational pipeline of infrastructure across Queensland, and we know we’re going to need every Queenslander we can find to help build the future of the State. 

“There are immense opportunities for Queenslanders in our construction industry, and carpentry apprenticeships deliver meaningful, high-paying careers to those who complete them.” 

AFL legend and Carpentry Australia Ambassador Kevin Sheedy said the Breakers program had the potential to change lives of young tradespeople by providing them with support to complete their apprenticeship.  

“I’ve been alongside Carpentry Australia for more than five years now, and what these people are doing isn’t talk. It’s making a real difference to young apprentices,” Mr Sheedy said. 

“I’ve spent my whole life backing people that others gave up on and watching them go on to win. That’s exactly what this project will do. 

“This is the start of something big and I want every young tradie in Queensland to know we’re in their corner.” 

Carpentry Australia Chief Executive Officer Jake McArthur said that as the national industry body for the carpentry trade, his organisation knows what would work. 

“We’ve seen too many good young tradespeople walk away for the wrong reasons. Not because they couldn’t do the work but because no-one showed them where it could go,” Mr McArthur said. 

“Breakers is here to break that cycle. Queensland is the starting point, and we are confident this program can be valuable to every trade, across every State.” 

For more information about the Industry Skills Solutions program visit dtet.qld.gov.au/industry-skills-solutions . 

For more information about Breakers visit CarpentryAustralia.com.au . 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Joe Hill, 0408 962 453