The building and construction industry can be tough. When you are an independent business owner, what you often need is someone to listen to you, to give you good advice, and to advocate for you.
Employers in the finishing trades have never needed support and representation more than today. This is a time of great change in the industry.
Concerns with culture and practices between industrial parties, in particular across commercial construction. The State Government’s plans to substantially update the Victorian Building Act giving regulators more scope to regulate the industry and power to enforce compliance. Significant changes in relation to the employee entitlement organisations, how they engage with, and impact, businesses.
The clear need for better balance and genuine negotiation in industrial relations matters. Significant changes to federal employment law redefining what is an employee, the types of employment and potentially upending the industry’s sub-contractor model. Need for clarity on the new licensing requirements and timing in order to ensure that the implementation of the Building Amendment Act meets the industry’s needs.
The tough business environment with the slowdown of the economy, difficulty in finding good quality employees, increases in costs, and the ongoing challenges of getting paid. The future skilled workforce when the finishing trades are not held in high regard and quality training options are shrinking.
Last to leave
While many of the issues the finishing trades face today are shared across the building and construction industry, enough are unique that they benefit from their own representation. Last on site, last to get paid, treated as an afterthought is the opinion often shared. The finishing trades need someone who is backing them, their own voice, their own seat at the table and their chance to be heard.
This year the FTAA celebrates its 25th anniversary. For over 25 years the association has been representing the broader finishing trades by bringing together the employer member organisations for Painter and Decorators through The Master Painters’ Association of Victoria, Plasterers and Renderers through The Commercial Plastering Contractors Group, Tilers through The Master Ceramic Tilelayers Association of Victoria and The Australian Institute of Protective Coatings.
Trusted team
The FTAA was born out of the support provided by the Master Painters Association of Victoria for the other finishing trades. The MPAV has been representing painting, decorating and signwriting employers since 1895.
Members of the FTAA have access to employer advice and support on Employment related matters, Business and Marketing and Technical practices and resources
The FTAA is a voice for the finishing trades through advocacy to government, industry stakeholders and the public.
As part of our 25th anniversary the FTAA is investing in our industry by launching a new website to provide members with better access to information and services, trialling new products and services to support the needs of members in the current market. We are also developing new employer and technical training programs.