The Jim Banks Memorial Award was established in memory of Jim Banks, a well respected servant of the Fire Protection Industry over many years. Jim was amongst a group of people who developed the Fire Protection Industry Contractors Registration Board and was a great advocate of the Board accreditation system. Jim spent so much of his career encouraging and supporting the apprentices and other younger people of that era, knowing that they held the future of the Fire Protection Industry in their hands. The Award is presented in the spirit of Jim Bank's belief in the need to encourage and bring forward the Industry leaders of tomorrow.

The National Fire Industry Association of Queensland (NFIAQ) presents the award at their annual Christmas charity luncheon. This year the Jim Banks Memorial Award was presented to Janine Horrocks, general manager FirePro (Qld), by NFIAQ Vice President Jacques Van Es. FirePro (Qld) is proud and humbled by the recognition for our continual dedication to apprenticeship training and industry support.

FirePro (Qld) apprentice, Lil Shanley, has been acknowledged at the J.I.S.T. 2009 Apprentices of the Year Ceremony held at our RTO on Monday 30th November.  Lil received deserved recognition in the category of Consistent Performance.  JIST currently trains 108 fire protection apprentices, further endorsement of Lil’s achievement.  As a second year apprentice, Lil continually shows skills and the commitment to learn way beyond the norm and we commend her achievement in being recognised.
                  

FirePro (Qld) is proud to announce that we have WON the Employer Commitment to Training - Qld up to $5million category at the 2009 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards, held at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Friday 27th November 2009.  In front of a huge audience of over 1000 guests, FirePro (Qld) was acknowledged for our company's commitment to our labour force and to the future of our industry.  This achievement is highlighted further considering the number of potential employers in this category, Queensland wide across all domestic, commercial and industrial building industries.  In this year of general construction downturn, when many businesses have closed or downsized, our focus on training and employee retention is even more of an achievement.
           

Story by Albert & Logan News

Yatala based company FirePro (Qld) has blazed past its competitors to win a prestigous Construction Skills Queensland award. Established in Beenleigh in 1995, the business last month won the Busy At Work Apprenticeships Services Employer Committment to Training Award for companies with up to $5 million turnover.

FirePro (Qld) General Manager, Janine Horrocks, said the company was very excited about the win. "It's a very prestigous award and we are humbled by it," she said. "To be recognised as a leader makes it a great achievement for everyone here."

The company employees 12 full-time apprecntices and prides itself on its apprenticeship and post-trade training. Apprentices complete four years in a Certificate III in Fire Protection course.

Construction Skills Queensland chief executive officer, Brett Shimming, said record nominations were received this year. "The judging panel was faced with an extremely difficult job in the lead up to the event, having to choose just 13 category winners from so many excellent nominations", he said. " The awards encompass a full range of people involved in the building and construction industry. They are a great opportunity to recognise those who show true dedication to training excellence."

FirePro (Qld) have been presented with a momento of the historic photo recognising our commitment to the highly successful Women In Plumbing program managed by the CEPU.  FirePro (Qld) apprentice, Lil Shanley, is proudly wearing the "FirePro" shirt in this historic photograph which includes 1st-3rd year apprentices in fire protection, plumbing and mechanical services.