Building community benefits
The benefits from Napranum’s first Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) project continue to build.
At the time of writing, five trainees have already secured ongoing employment and the skills and experience gained by the remainder are allowing them to confidently approach emerging opportunities.
Rayesh (left) and Lyall (right) pause their work painting a local house to pose for a picture during their traineeships.
Both Lyall Dick and Tariq Ase gained employment before the six-month project had even concluded. One of just two women in the group, Rayesh Wipa stood out and impressed host employer Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council so much throughout, she was offered an apprenticeship in their welding yard on completion of her traineeship. Jack Miller will continue to work with Robert Wigness Contracting in an ongoing role as they complete more of the fencing works for the community begun during this project.
Alvie Wapau has also just secured an apprenticeship with local contractor Hambell Plumbing. Despite being just 22, the project gave him the opportunity he was looking for to “switch my life up, and provide for my family.”
“I enjoyed getting to try my hand at so many different things through the project, and thank both Jack [Wipa, Na Muk A Run Mob] and COE for the opportunity.”
In a further demonstration of its success, all but two of the initial twelve trainees completed their Certificate 1 in construction through the project. Congratulations to Austin Bally, Keishaun Budby, Marcellis Budby, Lyall Dick, Antonio Gordon, Jack Miller, Brendan Motton, Aaliah Wapau, Alvie Wapau and Rayesh Wipa for their efforts and dedication to achieving this outcome. The project’s mentor, Jack has been continuing discussions with Rio Tinto’s Indigenous Employment and Development officer Marvin Bell ahead of their end of year intake. By continuing to follow these opportunities, as well as any others arising in the region, the employment prospects for the trainees still seeking work are bright.
The nine trainees able to attend the graduation to accept their Certificate 1 in Construction are pictured here with Rhonda Parry from Kuku’Nathi Services, project mentors Jack Wipa and Shaun Hall from the Na’Muk’A’Run Mob and Scott McAlister and Katie Wallace from COE.
The many and varied works our trainees assisted Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council to complete around their Western Cape community have also resulted in numerous, lasting safety and amenity upgrades. From fencing yards, allowing local children and pets to play freely, erecting street signs and renovating and repainting council owned housing ready for new tenants, the trainees can and should be very proud of their lasting impacts in their community.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work projects are an initiative of and proudly funded by the Queensland Government.