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Four decades of training partnership
Conrad Martens Plumbing & Hot Water has been servicing Brisbane for over 40 years, and took on its first of 80 TAFE Queensland apprentices in 1986.
Indooroopilly plumbing business Conrad Martens Plumbing & Hot Water has been servicing Brisbane for more than 40 years, and while many parts of the industry and the city have changed, their training provider of choice has not, with the businesses having proudly enrolled more than 80 apprentices at TAFE Queensland since their first in 1986.
Managing Director Conrad Martens says training apprentices has been a core reason for the success of the business, and that he remembers every apprentice and still regularly talks to his very first – who left the business in the 90’s. In the office a commemorative business family tree detailing every apprentice across four decades of training hangs proudly.
Conrad and Angus Martens show the company family tree.
It remains a local, family-owned and operated business with Conrad, his wife Gaye, and their two sons, Jackson and Angus, all actively involved in management and day-to-day operations. Conrad’s son, Angus Martens, says there are a number of reasons for the longstanding relationship with TAFE Queensland, including initiatives outside of apprentice training such as the free Find Your Apprentice service and vocational placement programs for high school students.
“We have been utilising the TAFE Queensland Find Your Apprentice service for several years and have found it fantastic. The team have been very accommodating in helping us connect with promising students seeking a career in the plumbing industry, thanks to this service we found our most recent apprentice, Jack,” Mr Martens said.
“We also provide industry placement opportunities to Certificate II in Plumbing Services (11054NAT) students each year, with the fantastic Business Development team and teachers at TAFE Queensland facilitating this.”
“Many students who did their Industry Placement with us have gone on to do apprenticeships and remained with us long-term, becoming senior tradespeople. A prime example is one of our current Operations Managers, who started with us as a work experience student 15 years ago,” he said.
A commitment to identifying and training the next generation of leading tradespeople has been a key to Conrad Martens Plumbing and Hot Water’s success and growth that sees it now one of Brisbane’s largest maintenance plumbing and hot water companies.
“At first the business comprised Conrad, who worked on the tools, and his mother, Margaret, who handled the administrative aspects of the business. The company has grown since then and now employs approximately 20 tradespeople and apprentices alongside office staff,” Mr Martens said.
As experts in identifying promising new apprentices, the team at Conrad Martens have noticed a few key trends to know who will develop into a high quality tradesperson, with Mr Martens saying completion of TAFE Queensland’s pre-apprenticeship qualifications is always high on the list.
“As an employer, we highly value candidates who have completed the Certificate II in Plumbing Services as it demonstrates their commitment to the industry and equips them with the necessary skills to start an apprenticeship confidently.”
“For anyone interested in a career in Plumbing, it is an excellent course that offers students exposure to the plumbing industry and teaches them fundamental skills. It also provides a chance to gain real-world industry experience and try the trade before pursuing an apprenticeship,” he said.