Community
1 July, 2021
Painting a brighter future
WITH the assistance of Centacare FNQ the future is looking brighter for Hussan Ruvakuki, a recent graduate from Skill Centred with a Certificate in Construction specialising in painting.
Hussan Rukakuki and Julian Matabaro both from Africa, are the latest graduates from the highly successful Centacare FNQ Skilling Queenslanders for work program.
This year the program has had great success with all 30 trainees graduating with Certificates in Business and Construction.
So far 20 of the 30 trainees have secured ongoing employment in the region, with the Centacare FNQ team working hard to place the remaining 10 participants.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work program provides paid employment opportunities to disadvantaged Queenslanders, refugees and indigenous, whilst at the same time supporting local projects and organisations.
This has been the fifth group of participants that Centacare FNQ has worked with, and this year the business participants were instrumental is making sure that the school savvy program was able to operate efficiently to support local families.
The construction trainees participated in a range of projects, including making and repairing furniture and other household goods as part of the Upcycling Social Enterprise.
Local painting contractor Gordon Perry of SPC employed a trainee prior to the graduation and was so impressed with the standard of support provided by the Centacare Team that he has now signed up a second apprentice.
“Its great to have apprentices who just want to come to work.
“Their attitude is fantastic, a pleasure to work with,” he said.
“The challenge for them is to understand the Australian workplace. The relationship between the boss and the worker can be appreciably different in their culture, particularly if the boss is white.
“It’s been a learning experience for us as well as Hussan and Julian.”
With the boom in the building and real estate industry, construction is the ideal industry to get into. The Construction traineeship give participates a broad understanding of the industry allowing them to specialise further as needed.
The Centacare FNQ Skilling Queenslanders for work program is spread over 12 months with six months intensive training along with work extensive experience placement.
Centacare FNQ Executive Director, Anita Veivers said, “It has been so rewarding for us to work with people who are enthusiastic and keen to work.
Our program has been able to provide an opportunity for people to get some on the job experience and learn what it means to be a good employee in the Australian context.”
“If there are any employers out there looking for staff with skills in business, administration or construction please give us a call.”
“Trainees have developed a broad range of workplace skills and have been place in a diverse range of roles.”
Centacare currently are seeking another painting trainee.
If you are seeking to enter this field please call Centacare on 40440130.
