By Lewis Kwarcianyi
BEERWAH’S growth is not just about new housing, roads and rail.
Behind the town centre, businesses in the industrial precinct are expanding, creating jobs and positioning themselves to benefit from billions of dollars in construction spending across the region.
Queensland Posts and Beams co-owner Aaron Lubert believes Beerwah is increasingly proving itself as a place to do business, with easy access to Steve Irwin Way, the Bruce Highway and major growth areas to the north and south.
That growth is also creating opportunities for young people to build careers close to home.
First-year boilermaker apprentice Beau Evans, 16, joined the company after completing a certificate at TAFE.
On his final day, an instructor handed him Mr Lubert’s business card.
“That afternoon I sent him an email, introduced myself, and then that Monday I went in, had an interview, and then that Tuesday I got the job,” Beau said.
He said he particularly enjoyed the welding and fabrication side of the trade and could already see opportunities to progress within the company.
“I see myself wanting to go far with this company,” Beau said.
“I hope that one day I can be, I don’t know, like foreman or higher in the ranks, and it’s just a really nice trade.”
Third-year apprentice Laine Worrell, 22, joined the business after Trailers 2000, directly across the road, went into insolvency.
“The Thursday I walked in, asked if I could speak to Aaron. He gave me a shot. Now I’m here,” he said.
For Laine, one of the biggest attractions is seeing a job develop from raw material into a finished product.
“Being able to see your work start from just bits of steel and a drawing and build it up to something, I love that,” he said.
He had high praise for the company.
“I love the work. I like the boss a lot. He’s the best boss I’ve had,” Laine said.
Living in Beerwah has also meant replacing previous hour-long commutes to Brisbane with a trip of just minutes. “The work’s great. It’s close to home. I couldn’t think of a reason to leave,” he said.
