Learning the trades from the ground up

PICTURED: Students from Murwillumbah Learning Centre High get shown the ropes in the construction industry. Contributed.

underrepresented people.

“There is a shortage

Ms Dillon said the hands-on aspect of the day helped solidify the trade for the students and their trainers gave them plenty of positive reinforcement.

Mark Kucks is the National Indigenous and social Procurement Manager for Hutchinson’s Builders and said his job is about providing opportunities for young and of young people coming into trades and apprenticeships,” he said.

“While apprenticeships have been around forever, we are making sure young people are exposed to construction as a viable industry.

“Not everyone is suited to go to university.”

Over the next four days 80 students will have experienced the initiative that Hutchinson’s are running, through their Statim Yaga workshops, in partnership with the Regional Industry Education Partnership (RIEP) program.

Jill McCall is the senior project offcer of the program and is excited to provide the students with a wide range of experiences.

“They get the opportunity to taste and try and explore careers,” she said.

“Today was fantastic, providing students with the information and hands-on experience.

“We see it as a success that a student tries a career and even if they don’t like it, they have given it a go.”

And as for Amos, he says his mind has been opened to the possibility of working in the construction industry.

“Now I know (what it involves), I am going to give it a go,” he said.

“Even if I do it for only a couple of years.”

Lucky Dip