CPB Contractors, a national partner of the Clontarf Foundation, recently hosted two students from the Bairnsdale Clontarf Academy for a two day work experience program in Melbourne, Victoria.
The program, led by CPB Contractors Indigenous and Social Inclusion Senior Advisor Damien Foley, gave two students – Jhye and Titus – first hand exposure to various aspects of the construction industry.
The jam-packed two day schedule gave students hands-on exposure to two CPB Contractors projects – West Gate Tunnel and the North East Link – where they learnt about each project’s scope, how tunnel boring machines (TBMs) work, the purpose of hyperbaric chambers, and how a TBM's cutterhead operates. CPB Contractors employees shared their personal career journeys with the two young men and were inspired to hear about the culture and life stories shared back by Jhye and Titus.
“Our project-based teams enjoyed learning about the boys’ career aspirations and stories and were more than happy to share details of their own career journeys so far,” shares Damien.
Jhye and Titus say that a highlight of the program is the time they spent learning about and using construction technology at the North East Link project-funded Victorian Tunnelling Centre (VTC) located at Holmsglen TAFE. They used simulators to practice fire extinguisher use and operate heavy machinery.
“Using the virtual reality fire safety tech allowed the students to experience and apply practical learning. The gamified format allowed them to test their skills utilising a fire extinguisher in a real-life scenario,” explains Damien.
“The digger simulator was another highlight for our guests, and they really enjoyed learning how to operate heavy machinery in a safe environment”.
Rounding out their VTC visit, Jhye and Titus applied some of the skills learnt during these sessions by operating a stationery digger, including its boom, bucket and swivel, under the supervision of trainers.
The work experience was made possible as part of CPB Contractors' ongoing national partnership with the Clontarf Foundation. This not-for-profit organisation aims to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem, and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.