TasTAFE partnership creates a cubby house for sick kids

TasTAFE has partnered with industry to deliver the NextGen Trade Training Program, building a cubby house for the Children’s Ward at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

This 8-week project has been a collaboration between TasTAFE, Master Builders Tasmania, Business and Employment Southeast Tasmania (BEST), the Tasmanian Government’s High-Vis Army initiative, and local construction company Podmatrix, who have a contract with Homes Tasmania to provide affordable housing throughout the state.

Martin Killick, TasTAFE’s Regional Engagement Officer, Future Students and Industry, has been guiding the participants on-site at Master Builders Tasmania HQ in Hobart – working alongside Podmatrix directors Zack Harris and Mitchell Walker.

“The overall aim is to give these participants the skills and confidence to go out and take the next step towards working in the construction sector,” Mr Killick said.

“This program gives them not only those entry-level units of competency that are necessary … but also the hands-on component, where they actually learn how to do things, and can make mistakes in an environment where it doesn't really matter.”

The participants have come from various backgrounds: some are still at local schools in Year 11 and 12; some are unemployed and looking for work; and some, like Kat Ritchie, are looking for a career change.

“I have worked in retail, hospitality, tourism…and I just wanted a change,” Ms Ritchie said. “So when this course popped up on Facebook, it was a good incentive to gain some more skills to be able to change industries. It’s a good taster.”

Aside from learning new skills, the main challenge for Ms Ritchie has been working with a team of strangers: “Learning how to work with each other without knowing each other has been a big challenge. But it's been great, and we all get along really well.”

Mr Killick agrees. “It's about developing teamwork,” he said. “There are 13 participants in this course, and each one of those has shown up every day, which is quite remarkable.”

Ms Ritchie has also enjoyed working with the instructors from TasTAFE and Podmatrix. “They’ve been brilliant,” she said. “Pointing out errors and offering solutions, instead of just saying, ‘Oh you've mucked up!’ – and guiding us on how to do things and what to do next.”

The structure the participants have been working on is impressive: a large 2-storey, timber-frame design, with cement-sheet external cladding – designed by Podmatrix.

At the end of the 8-week program, the participants will walk away with accreditations in units of competency including:

• Construction Industry White Card
• Communicate in the Workplace
• Use Hand and Power Tools
• Work Safely at Heights
• Confined Spaces
• Restricted Height Scaffolding (over-18s only); and
• Forklift Licence (over-18s only).

The 13 participants marked the end of the hands-on part of the program with a graduation ceremony on 4 October, attended by project partners, media and the Hon. Simon Behrakis MP, Member for Clark and Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Planning.

The finished cubby house will be craned into position at the Royal Hobart Hospital on 13 October.

“I love doing programs like this,” Mr Killick said, “– seeing the confidence grow amongst the participants. When you see them willingly picking up new tools and attempting to use something that they've never used before – that gives me a real sense of satisfaction. I just really enjoy watching them grow.”

The project has been supported by a host of other partners and sponsors including Variety, Area Connect, Clennett’s Mitre 10, Wicked Workwear and Cranes Combined.