Partnership with Podmatrix helps prepare Tasmanians for the workforce

Six Tasmanians have learnt skills to help prepare them for the workforce as part of a partnership between TasTAFE and construction company Podmatrix.

The organisations teamed up to offer a pre-employment program designed to prepare Tasmanians for work in the construction industry.

Participants were selected through Business and Employment Southeast Tasmania (BEST) and spent three days a week over six weeks working with Podmatrix to build a cubby pod.

They also completed three accredited units at TasTAFE’s Clarence Campus – White Card, Communicate in the Workplace and Use Hand and Power Tools and spent a day with BEST working on resumes, cover letter writing, applications and interview tips. Guest speakers to the program included representatives from local employers and suppliers.

Program participant Haylee said she enjoyed the practical nature of the training.
“I liked that I can see what progress I can make instead of just sitting in front of a computer and seeing a bunch of words on a page. To physically see what I’ve done was great.”

Fellow participant Mathew also said he enjoyed gaining practical skills.

“There were a lot of learnings of how to use new tools, how to measure things and where things go. I learnt a lot out of it.”

The cubby pod has been donated to Bagdad Primary School. All materials, tools and PPE have been donated, along with the truck and crane to deliver the pod.

There will be at least two more of these programs per year, over the four-year term of Podmatrix’s contract with Homes Tasmania to build affordable modular homes.

Podmatrix is a Tasmanian-owned company specializing in the construction and delivery of relocatable homes and units.