13 Indigenous job seekers have taken up roles as civil and tunnel workers, plant & equipment operators, trade assistants and in carpentry with Sydney’s major WestConnex infrastructure project, thanks to the Workplace Readiness Program (WRP), delivered by Asuria, and partners.
Working with Goanna Services and the Aboriginal Advancement Alliance, Asuria selected candidates for the WRP who first received two days of culturally appropriate vocational pre-placement mentoring, training, and job readiness coaching; followed by three weeks of paid construction training.
After celebrating their graduation together, all participants commenced work with John Holland CPB on the $3.9bn WestConnex Rozelle Interchange Project.
To help them to be successful in their new roles, each of the graduates from the Workplace Readiness Program will continue to gain access to Asuria’s ongoing support and expertise, as well as pathways to formal qualifications, including a Certificate II or III in Civil Construction.
Joshua Milson, one of the Workplace Readiness Program participants and new starters with John Holland CPB, says of his experience: “I really enjoyed the training. I feel part of a team and continue to be supported. I love the work I am doing on the project and continue to learn every day. I now have the direction and purpose I needed and have been looking for. I can see a great future ahead for me now”.
Asuria’s Executive Director - jobactive, Alicea Shaw, who championed the program, says: “The strong, early results delivered by the Workplace Readiness Program are a true testament to what can be achieved when innovative organisations come together around the shared goal of helping people from diverse backgrounds to be successful in employment.”
This Workplace Readiness Program is a collaboration between Asuria, the Aboriginal Advancement Alliance and Goanna Services.