Edition 43, April 2007

Shed builds on basics to fast-track construction careers in WA

The construction of a basic 400sqm shed in one of Perth's rapidly developing suburbs is providing students with the opportunity to fast-track their building and construction careers.

The purpose of the 'Shed at Brighton' initiative is to provide training to help local people - particularly young people - learn the skills to become employable in their community.

Satterley Property Group provided the physical shed. The students are making enhancements to the facility including its fit out - for example, students are building a medical room inside the shed - and external works including brick paving and landscaping, as part of their training. They will also complete other bricklaying, tiling, plastering and concreting projects as their studies progress.

 The development of the innovative facility is a Western Australian first, with the shed providing around 90 students a year with the opportunity to learn basic skills in bricklaying, plastering, and floor and wall tiling. Each student spends two days at school, two days in the shed and one day in workplace learning, with training provided by West Coast and Swan TAFE colleges.

While the initiative is unique, being situated in a property development rather than an education facility, the Western Australian Department of Education and Training is exploring similar opportunities in applying the model in other situations due to a high level of interest from industry and the training sector.

There are currently 24 year 11 students from Clarkson Community High School benefitting from the program, who are completing the Certificate I pre-apprenticeship in Mortar Trades. They all hope to gain apprenticeships in the building industry once they finish school.

The Western Australian government partnered with local industry to develop the shed, which was designed to meet the needs of industry and help address the state's skill shortage.

For more information visit www.det.wa.edu.au/training

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