Ten young men are on track to earn their Certificate I in Construction, thanks to a hands-on partnership between Tamborine Mountain Sports Association (TMSA) and training provider Busy Skills.
The 20-week traineeship, facilitated by The Busy Group’s Skill360 arm, combines real-world community projects with formal training to provide disengaged youth with an entry point into the construction industry.
Mentor and project supervisor Daniel Csatlos said the experience has been rewarding for both the students and the community.
“They’ve really taken pride in their work,” Mr Csatlos said.
“From refurbishing picnic tables for the showgrounds to painting equipment containers for local sporting clubs, they’ve been able to see the impact of what they’re doing and that means a lot.”
Mr Csatlos said all the boys have shown strong commitment and teamwork.
“Some of them knew each other before the course and helped each other get involved. They’ve supported each other through the complicated bits and have been really attentive and accountable,” he said.
“A lot of these guys had left school early or felt lost. This gives them a direction.”
The program also introduces students to future employment pathways, including apprenticeships, with employer engagement scheduled towards the course’s end.
“We try to line up opportunities in mining, construction, or landscaping, anything where they can get a foot in the door,” Mr Csatlos said.
“And because we’ve worked with them closely, we can vouch for their work ethic.”
TMSA President Mick Angus praised the group’s contribution to the local sporting precinct, which services more than 1100 members.
“You’ve transformed so much here,” he said.
“We’re all volunteers and what you’ve done means a lot to this community.”
The community-focused projects have ranged from painting dressing sheds and pressure-cleaning cricket sight boards to fixing gates with new latches.
The trainees also repurposed an old BBQ stand into a functional workshop bench fitted with a drill press, vice, and grinder.
The current traineeship will wrap up in September, with a second intake set to begin the same month.
