Since 1962 Rintoul Joinery and Fitout has carved out its place as a market leader in high-quality custom joinery, fitout, and refurbishment work. With a manufacturing facility that extends over 8000m2, Rintoul can deliver the highest quality projects.

Since 2001, Master Builders and Rintoul have worked together to support and develop carpentry and shop fitting apprentices and build our next generation of tradespeople. In the last 10 years, an impressive 31 Master Builders Apprentices have completed their apprenticeships with Rintoul. Many of them have gone on to successful careers in construction, including 7 who are still employed at Rintoul today. They are Joshua Perritt (Site Supervisor), Blake Dwyer (Site Leading Hand), Scott Shepherd (Setout drafter), David McShane (Leading Hand Joiner Shop), Brock Herod (Site Carpenter), and Tiaa George (Setout drafter).

It is no surprise that the opportunities that Rintoul provides apprentices have seen them as a much sought-after Host Employer for Master Builders Apprentices. The chance to build a career with one of Australia’s leading interior fit-out and joinery businesses and to be part of a giant global construction conglomerate (Rintoul is a subsidiary of Bouygues Batiment International through AW Edwards, Australia) is a significant draw card for apprentices just starting on their career journey.

With a strong focus on attracting and retaining more women into the Building and Construction industry, Rintoul and Master Builders and been working hard to provide opportunities to grow female participation. This year, for the first time, Rintoul has taken on more female than male apprentices in their annual intake. Four out of the seven apprentices are females. Female participation in the industry is growing and that is good for everyone.

Having just celebrated thirty years with Rintoul, Ben Naylor, Executive Director, is proud of the progress made with Master Builders. “For us, it’s about finding the right apprentices, the ones that are eager to learn and show attention to detail. We have been incredibly lucky with the quality of apprentices we have. So, for me, it’s a no-brainer to keep encouraging more women to join this dynamic industry,” says Ben.

Tiaa George is one such example. Before her apprenticeship, she worked in retail and residential construction. Tiaa then started a Carpentry apprenticeship with Master Builders and was placed with Rintoul as her Host Employer – she’s never looked back. Having completed her apprenticeship, she is now a Setout Drafter for Rintoul and is proof of the diverse career pathways an apprenticeship provides.

“Once I learned how to build, I became very interested in drafting to be able to show others how to build. Now, thanks to Rintoul, I get the best of both worlds. Sometimes, I am out with our CNC operators, and other times at a computer drawing what needs to be built. No two days are ever quite the same and that is just the way I like it,” says Tiaa.

There is very little Ben Naylor doesn’t know about the industry, and he is pleased to see the industry embracing diversity. “It is fantastic to see more and more women joining the construction industry. Organisations like Master Builders have long since supported and championed women in the industry and increasingly there are state and federal government initiatives that are actively looking at programs to support getting more females employed in building and construction.”

“In my experience, the apprentices we have had, bring a good work ethic and communication skills to the office and change the dynamic of a historically very male-dominated workplace. It’s a varied industry that requires a raft of different and complementary skills. I am pleased that more women are encouraged to join,” says Ben.

Jody McGann, Master Builders General Manager of Education & Apprenticeships says, “For those of us in the industry that are working hard to encourage female participation, we are delighted to recognise Rintoul’s commitment to changing the face of the industry. Rintoul has long been an important and valuable client of Master Builders and it is fantastic to see Ben and the team leading the way in this area.”

“Supporting women to enter the building industry is at the heart of what we do at Master Builders. The Women in Construction program is a fantastic opportunity to encourage females to start a career in our industry. We aim to open up options for females who may not have considered it an industry for them and to help them transition into a rewarding career. The more visible women are in the industry and the more we can highlight their great stories and journeys, the more others will be able to find those connections that will encourage them to take those first steps in a career in construction. And Master Builders will be here to support them every step of the way,” she continues.

With its reputation as a market leader, Rintoul expects the very best from its employees and apprentices and invests heavily in ensuring they are well-trained, well-supported, and well-managed, with long and fruitful careers in front of them, just like our four current apprentices.

If you would like more information about the pathways to a career in construction, you’ll find Master Builders at career expos, schools, and school events. Email our Careers Officer careers@mbansw.asn.au