Finding the right career path can be a daunting process for anyone and often comes down to opportunity and experience. With this in mind, contractor Multiplex has given students and graduates the chance to develop construction skills in a mentoring atmosphere on the new $139 million project to design and construct the University of Canberra Public Hospital.
In partnership with the Australian Training Company and its subcontractors, Multiplex have implemented a trainee and apprenticeship program to mentor a broad range of 10 trainees to develop new skills and receive fully certified qualifications.
Multiplex has set ambitious targets for the project, committing to 10 per cent of all construction hours being undertaken by apprentices and trainees, with half of those directed towards youth at risk.
As well as supporting apprentice and trainee participation, the program aims to give young people the chance they need and deserve.
“Multiplex has long advocated for improving the construction industry’s skills base. At the same time we have worked over many years with young people suffering various forms of disadvantage, and know that many have the aptitude and the drive to succeed – they just need the right employment opportunity to set the wheels in motion,” said Multiplex Project Manager Allan Young.
“Our program aims to address all of those aspirations while also supporting the hospital’s desire to be a centre for teaching and learning.”
The results achieved by the group of trainees have surpassed expectations. All 10 of them are set to achieve their Cert II Construction traineeship in line with project completion, with several already moving into apprenticeships or other employment opportunities. In some instances significant challenges have been overcome.
Canberra locals Hayley Clarke and Maiah Rolle-Lieske are just two of the young people who have benefited from the trainee program at UCPH.
21 year old Hayley undertook a traineeship with subcontractor, Axis Plumbing, while 19 year old Maiah was appointed to provide administrative support for electrical subcontractor HeyDay Group.
Hayley worked with Axis Plumbing five days a week on site and received training from City-Wide Building & Training Services to complete her Certificate II in Construction.
“I think the traineeship has been great because you get the opportunity to see whether you like what’s involved in a certain trade before diving straight into it,” said Hayley.
“The team has been really supportive. From the start of the traineeship they took the time to train me, supervise and work out what jobs I’d be best at,” she said.
Hayley is set to complete her 12 month traineeship in October, 2017 and Axis Plumbing ACT has already offered her an apprenticeship. Hayley was recently voted by her peers as Apprentice / Trainee of the Month for her attitude and performance.