TAMBORINE Mountain Sports Association (TMSA) has praised the work done by jobseekers who recently celebrated graduating with a Certificate I in Construction at Long Road.
TMSA president Mick Angus said the eight graduates had managed to achieve a lot during their 20-week traineeship.
The joint partnership between TMSA and training provider Busy Skills was facilitated by the Busy Group’s Skill360 arm as part of the state government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.
Mick said the partnership was initiated by TMSA vice-president Adam Chanter and he hoped it would be an ongoing partnership as the second group of trainees have already commenced training.
“We are thrilled there is an outcome for the participants and the club, which is run by volunteers,” Mick said.
“There is a lot of maintenance work to be done. The students have worked alongside skilled professionals and David Power TMSA’s maintenance person and assisted in the upkeep of the venue, while learning to use power tools and mowers and equipment and acquire a range of skills in the process.
“They have painted and renovated the change rooms and toilets, the benches, helped clear the areas for Landcare planting, assisted in parkrun track maintenance and mowed the fields.”
Mentor and project supervisor Daniel Csatlos said it had been a fantastic course.
“We have achieved a lot while we’ve been here helping the organisation get things done which they don’t have time to do themselves,” Daniel said.
“It’s helping disadvantaged youths get their foot in the door and gain employment. We already have a few outcomes for the group.”
“It’s such an amazing program. I don’t know what would happen to them without this program.”
The students have learnt construction skills as well as basic life skills, such as budgeting and confidence building.
Alex Little, 24, was one of the eight graduates, ranging in age from 15 to 40.
“It’s been an amazing learning experience. I’ve reawakened skills I’ve let go dormant due to high school and life,” he said.
“It will give me the skills to apply for an electrical apprenticeship. It’s helped improve my interpersonal skills with colleagues and my employer.”
The next group of ten will maintenance work at TMSA and paint the scout hut.
Mick said TMSA had approached Scenic Rim Regional Council to get involved and help assist with a budget to enable the breadth of the work to increase.
“The facilities are 16 years old so there is a lot of items needing replacement or major maintenance so it’s one step in helping that process,” he said.
