Regional Trade Training Program boosts job prospects

From 2–6 September, TasTAFE partnered with the Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania (CCF) to deliver the Workforce Australia Local Jobs funded Regional Trade Training Program, at the Southern Central Trade Training Centre in the Brighton region north of Hobart.

The program aims to connect job seekers in regional areas with entry-level employment opportunities in construction trade industries.

The 5-day Brighton program was the second of 8 to be delivered across 4 southern Tasmanian regions – Hobart, Brighton, Sorell and the Huon Valley – through to May 2025, with 2 programs in each region.

Across the week, trainees gained their construction industry White Card, along with a range of other skills including communication and the operation of small plant and equipment.

TasTAFE Civil Construction Teacher Tony Cook was on site, leading the trainees through a range of skills, including concrete slab site preparation and formwork. He said that interest in the program has been high.

“There were over 20 applicants for this particular program,” Mr Cook said. “We can only take 12 – so a lot of strong interest.

“We've got a really diverse group of people that end up in these programs,” Mr Cook continued. “We've got one who was an apprentice hairdresser. We've got one who was a concreter. We’ve had school leavers. We’ve had long-term unemployed. But mostly, they’ve all had a desire to make themselves better … to pick up some employability skills and make themselves a better individual.”

As well as learning some practical skills, Mr Cook was impressed with the trainees’ approach to teamwork.

“They've actually gelled together really well,” he said. “They communicate together quite well. They help each other out. They look after each other in the workplace, which is great.”

Trainee Alexandra ‘Ali’ Fenner found the week to be a positive experience.

“Tony has been great this week: he's happy to answer any questions that we've got,” Ali said – adding that Tony had been “pretty hands-on with us, to help us get the jobs done.”

Ali’s advice to anyone considering applying for the program was to go for it: “If you think it's industry that you want to get into, give it a go!” she said.

Mr Cook was similarly positive: “At the end of the day, if an employer wants one of these people, they'll actually get quite a valued young individual.”

For anyone interested in the Regional Trade Training Program, please speak with your Workforce Australia provider or your Regional Jobs Hub in southern Tasmania.

Workforce Australia Local Jobs is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.