Tricks of the trade

How plastering company is beating skill shortages

l PORT DOUGLAS

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

AN award-winning plastering firm is showing the big boys how it’s done to combat skill shortages.

Port Douglas-based company

Mark Fletcher Solid Plaster and Texture Coatings is thriving despite the difficulty of getting qualified staff thanks to their employeecentred approach, focusing the workforce on refugees, rehabilitated prisoners, school leavers, and women.

With 17 years in business, and dozens of prolific projects across North Queensland, Mark Fletcher’s plastering firm has built a reputation of excellence in their craft and as an employer that provides op- portunities to marginalised groups like refugees and rehabilitated prisoners. There are 17 staff in Cairns and Townsville, including seven refugees (most been in prison for political reasons).

Their efforts have earned them the support of the federal and state governments, Queensland Training and Centacare.

Taking the Tropical North Queensland Training Awards (QTA) employer of the year award in July and with employees like Htoo Khaing winning equity VET student of the year, the company keeps growing and business manager Ursula Donnellan, who is also nominated for vocational student of the year, says it’s all because of their unique team.

CONTINUED PAGE 3

Mark Fletcher Solid Plaster and Texture Coatings tradie Htoo Khaing was winner of the equity student of the year at the Tropical North Queensland Training Awards. Picture: Supplied