FOUR Indigenous men working on the South East Regional Hospital construction have secured ongoing employment after completing an innovative traineeship program.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Josh Sproates, Shane Mongta, Colin Langlo and Mathew Pittman were congratulated on Wednesday for being the first to graduate the Certificate II Pathways to Construction traineeship with hospital contractor Brookfield Multiplex, in conjunction with the Bega Aboriginal Lands Council.
Between them, the four Indigenous men have now picked up ongoing work with local company RD Miller, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Sydney-based office furniture supplier Emanate Design.
“In partnering with Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council we have been able to provide local Indigenous people with a program that not only prepares them with a skillset for life, but also leaves behind a lasting legacy for the community,” David Ghannoum, Brookfield Multiplex regional managing director of NSW, said.
At Wednesday’s graduation ceremony and barbecue lunch, Brookfield’s SERH site project manager, Allan Young, congratulated the group on “a special day” and on their securing of employment offers.
“The graduates have displayed great resilience and motivation coupled with a desire for a greater level of self-determination,” he said.
“I particularly want to thank our sub-contractors for providing the on-the-job training.”
Graduate Josh Sproates, from Bega, said he had enjoyed his 12-month traineeship, learning new skills and meeting great people along the way.
Mr Sproates has worked on “practically everything” on the SERH construction, mentored on-site by several of Brookfield’s sub-contractors.
He said he had laid formwork and assembled frames ready for the copious amount of concrete poured for the new hospital, but has also worked on frames and trusses for the mental health unit, helped with waterproofing the building and now assists in delivery and placement of furniture.
Fellow graduate Mr Pittman thanked Brookfield and the team “for a great opportunity”
“We all got a lot out of it and it is a pleasure to work here.”
The graduation ceremony involved dignitaries from the Hunter Valley Training Company, Southern NSW Health District, Health Infrastructure and Brookfield Multiplex.
Brookfield Multiplex partnered with Hunter Valley Training Company to operate as the group training employer for the project with Illawarra TAFE delivering the training and the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program providing funding.
The 12-month program was designed to offer Indigenous people the opportunity to learn and develop a diverse and unique range of skills that will provide them with better employment opportunities.
Additionally, trainees are provided with on-site mentoring and support to assist them in overcoming issues associated with lengthy unemployment such as literacy.
A further 10 trainees are expected to graduate in September.
Located not far from the important Aboriginal place Biamanga Mountain, the South East Regional Hospital will offer extensive community and ambulatory services, community mental health, drug and alcohol services, an emergency department, combined integrated critical care unit, regional orthopaedic services and expanded surgical, maternity and paediatrics.
