Norweld “pulling out all the stops” to snare scarce skills

Four-wheel-drive tray and canopy manufacturer Norweld says it has more than doubled its workforce in the last two years, and is emphasising work-life balance-related perks to attract the right tradespeople.

The half-century-old company said on Tuesday that it is “pulling out all the stops” to ensure staffing demands are met at its eight locations, and has attracted skilled electricians, boilermakers and others.

According to the company, a “four-day work week for most roles, attractive employee discounts and a focus on company culture” are among recruitment incentives offered.

Brisbane Leading Hand Jake Mastrocola (pictured) said in a statement that he left a seven-year career as an electrician for a four-day-a-week role after suffering burnout.

“The nature of my job meant I was often working late nights and weekends, which was impacting my mental health,” said Mastrocola. 

“By chance I was doing electrical work at Norweld when I decided to apply for their tray and canopy fitter job.

“…Being an electrician no longer interested me, but I love four-wheel driving so it felt like a good fit. 

Ash Rooker said he began a trade that wasn’t his true passion, left to start his own car detailing business, but then “jumped at” a job at Norweld when it came up.

“Being a Cairns local, everyone knows about Norweld, and the business has a good reputation for work-life balance while still offering development opportunities,” said the Norweld Cairns Salesperson.

The company’s HR manager Rhiannon Woodbridge said, “Even in Western Australia, where many tradies are used to high paying mining jobs, we’re already seeing a lot of interest from candidates that want to make a lifestyle switch, much like what we’ve been experiencing across the east coast.” 

“We know a lot of tradies work in environments that lead to poor mental health, which is why we foster a supportive work environment where every employee has regular wellbeing check-ins and a direct line of communication to the HR team.” 

A shortage of trades skills saw the federal government fund an extra 20,000 fee-free TAFE places in the May budget.

A survey this year by employer representative the Ai Group found 77 per cent of respondents reported an increased need for technicians and trades workers, and 79 per cent had trouble finding these.

Picture: supplied

Further reading

Norweld expands to new Perth facility

Norweld launches 4×4 tray after R&D effort

Norweld trumpets its place in the wilds

Apprentices to build modular homes to ease shortages

Technical and trades skills increasingly hard to source: new report