About Masters in Building Training (MIBT)

MIBT is a nationally registered training provider (RTO #40666), focused on providing a service to existing practitioners within, and new entrants into the building industry.

MIBT recognises what the building industry wants, requires and needs; we put forward a business model which is inclusive, relevant, attractive and applicable to how the building industry operates with flexible, blended learning options alongside core regulatory, practical and accepted industry requirements.

Training excellence, shaping careers

New entrants into the building industry via state-funded or fee-for-service qualifications, apprenticeships/traineeships, from Certificate I in Construction through to Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction.

Existing building practitioners with a minimum of 2 years practical building experience, in-line with licensing requirements, currently working in the building industry, requiring recognition for licensing and in some cases higher qualifications for particular project roles.

Skills assessments on behalf of Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) for Bricklayers and Carpenters.

Objectives

Provide flexible and practical assessment processes that meet industry and regulatory requirements.
Engage industry and individuals alike to ensure consistency and quality of service.
Ensure that the business model provides income under all economic conditions.
Continue to develop flexible and practical options for participants.
Seek additional services to provide a positive learning outcome for participants.
Demonstrate competitiveness in terms of cost effectiveness and excellence in terms of quality.
Continuous improvement of products and processes in-line with regulatory authorities.

Activities undertaken to ASQA standards

MIBT delivers qualifications on its scope via a blended, online and onsite pathway, reinforced with third-party supervisor reports, to ensure industry requirements are met with learners performing varying tasks, over a period of time, for all types of building classes.

We also undertake a regime of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for existing building practitioners, currently working in the building industry. Our standard is in-line with regulatory requirements including, but not limited to, Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) , various State and Territory funding obligations and various State and Territory licensing regulators.

Sustainable competitive advantage

Our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is a current licensed building practitioner (open class) with over 36 years experience in building and more than 22 years experience in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, which compliments all our trainers and assessors who are current, licensed building industry practitioners with VET experience in assessing, training and developing programs for the building industry. This suggests a standard of excellence with the outcome being focused on client needs – qualifications leading to licensing.

Additional advantages include but are not limited to:

Broad industry alliances and experience.
Strong relationships with industry-related regulatory bodies.
Flexible, responsive competency-based assessments.
Highly flexible and responsive ability to bring assessments to where it is physically required – on-site.
All assessors having currency within the building industry.
Blended learning pathways.

Identifiable workforce training and development needs

MIBT understands nationally identified training needs, skills shortages and skill deficiencies through Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) funded research. We are aware that there is an increasing percentage of experienced, albeit formally unqualified operators at trade level, particularly in the finishing trades, who distort skill shortage data by operating ‘under the radar’ and that this has the effect of undermining industry initiatives to recognise and address actual and published skill shortages.

Available resources for assessment

MIBT’s greatest asset is its human capital with in-depth experience and representation across Australia and throughout all sectors of the building industry. In addition we focus on taking our assessments out to where the individuals are working and running their business which ensures accessibility and a reduction in time off the job.

Through our Learning Management System (LMS), MIBT can offer a blended pathway with assessing tools and materials developed and based on government standard documents and customised by current industry practitioners. Their use and effectiveness has been validated through other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), and their ability to pass audit.

Immersive Virtual Reality Technology Training

Since 2018 MIBT has embarked on the journey to utilise Immersive Virtual Reality Training (IVRT) for the building and construction industry, with safety and practice in mind. The benefits of IVRT to workers and their employers cannot be over-emphasised in ensuring competency levels and industry expectations are reached before workers attempt high risk work. For the future, the role of IVRT for the building and construction industry serves as the foremost introduction to the intricacies of safety and competence allowing students to practice skills in their own time, at their own pace, in their own place, before attempting or waiting for the opportunity on site. Stay tuned.

Awards and accolades

MASTERS IN BUILDING TRAINING (MIBT)

Australian Construction Awards, shortlisted, Brand Expansion Award 2020
Regional Trainer of the Year NSW & QLD 2015/16/17/18/19
Sponsor of the NSW Regional Training Awards in all regions 2015 to 2019
Excellence in Education, Western Sydney, Chamber of Commerce 2017
Employer of Choice, South Eastern Sydney 2017
Excellence in Innovation, Western Sydney Chamber of Commerce 2017
Excellence in Innovation, Highly Commended, NSW Chamber of Commerce 2017
Will Shippard - ACT Training Awards - Apprentice of the Year 2022
Ryan Grouse - NSW Training Awards - School Based Apprentice of the Year 2020

Paul Lawrence | CEO and Training Manager

Since the early 2000’s Paul Lawrence has maintained a leadership position in the development of vocational education standards and Australian building practice policy. His work in training innovation has been recognised with MIBT and its trainers receiving awards from both the NSW and QLD Department of Education and Training (DET) as well as various NSW Business Chamber awards.

With more than 13 years as Manager for Training, Technical Services & Strategic Projects for the Master Builders Association (MBA), Paul worked closely with key industry stakeholders including national and state governments, TAFE (as a 120 year ambassador), the Office of Fair Trading and the Housing Industry Association (HIA).

Paul regularly participated in industry panels and advisory committees for the creation of new training and assessment pathways. He provided expert advice and assistance as a member of the National Construction Training Package Project Steering Committee and worked on Australian Standards Committees to develop guides for quality building practice.

Paul is a practising licensed builder in NSW and QLD which became the catalyst for the creation of the MIBT training model, through Paul’s own experience as an apprentice carpenter studying at TAFE. What Paul remembered most about TAFE wasn’t just the quality of the training, it was a day off work where the morning was spent in class and the afternoon saw many of the young apprentices go astray.

Paul recognised that a lot of apprentices were doing a trade because the school classroom environment was simply not for them. Later, as an employer working closely with apprentices of his own, Paul would often think about the time wasted in institutional training. Time when no progress was being made, either on the job or in the apprentices’ skills development.

Hence, the online - onsite blended training model was developed to allow employers and their apprentices more time onsite developing the real skills required for business success and the industry as a whole.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES PAUL LAWRENCE:

Judge in the WorldSkills Australia competition (Regional) 2020
Senior Judge in the QLD Apprentice of the Year 2018/2019
Business Leader of the Year, finalist, South Eastern Sydney 2017
Hong Kong Business Awards, Major Award 2009
NSW Training Awards finalist, in 2 categories 2009
NSW Training Initiative Award with CITAB and TAFE 2004