Derwent Valley Council’s Real Jobs program is designed to assist young people at risk of becoming welfare dependent, to become skilled and job ready. Collaboration with a number of government and private sector sponsors has added to an initial contribution by the Derwent Valley Council to fund the project.
The project began in November 2004 with nine young people aged 15 to 24 years being offered training in concrete and stone wall construction. The idea came from Beacon Foundation Chairman, Bill Lawson, who observed a stone faced concrete cottage being built in Tasmania and realised its potential as an ongoing business for young people.
The technique involves tying selected stones to a wire faced shutter then setting the formwork panels behind, and binding them with a full strength concrete mix. The formwork is then removed and the excess concrete is removed from in between the stone, resulting in a very attractive surface similar to traditional stone walls.
“A few of us realised this technique could be fairly easily taught to young people, and that there was a good potential market for stone faced walls,” Bill Lawson said. “The kids are taught construction techniques, including how to work with concrete, cement and stones, so they are also on the way to learning a trade. As part of this, they are doing a certificate II in general construction traineeship, with Hobart TAFE.”
At the end of the 12 month period trainees must generate self sustaining business as external support will end.
There is the potential for ongoing work for Council and a firm order for $50,000 worth of stone walls is an encouraging start for a fledgling business.
Bill Lawson said that Beacon is in negotiations with the Tasmanian Housing Department to build and auction a stone wall cottage to raise money for ongoing funding of the project. Komatsu Australia has also donated the use of a skidsteer loader.
“That also gives us the opportunity to train these young people in operating earthmoving equipment, with Komatsu providing accredited operator training, which adds another skill they have learnt,” Bill Lawson said. “If this model works well, and the initial signs are that it will, then it is readily transferable to other States. We are already discussing the future rollout of this template into other states across Australia with the Institute of Quarrying Australia.”
The project has a 100 per cent success rate with one trainee now working for a local firm, another returned to school and seven others still going with the program.
