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Building a career in construction thanks to CDP

06 December 2016
Jobs, Land and Economy
A group of men and women holding certificates while standing in front of heavy machinery and a shed.

Community Development Programme (CDP) construction graduates are in demand with construction companies.

With the boom in the construction industry in northern Australia, unemployed people living in remote Australia are finding themselves in demand since graduating from the construction-related training course.

Fifteen participants were awarded a Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant) after completing training provided by Community Development Programme (CDP) provider Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with Charles Darwin University.

As part of the training, job seekers learnt to operate different machinery including bobcats, tractor, roller and backhoe/loader in a safe environment.

One of the youngest participants, twenty year old Joshua Parry from Amangal Community been looking for work for some time and was excited about using his newly gained skills in a construction-based job.

“I enjoyed using all the machines and learning how to operate them,” Joshua said.

“I’d really like to get a job down in Ngukurr or over Timber Creek Way.”

Joshua also completed the Drive Safe Program and now with his Provisional Licence he has improved his skills and employment opportunities.

Ironbark organised for some leading construction industry recruitment agencies to conduct interviews with training participants for potential employment opportunities. As a result, three participants were hired by local company OOLOO Investments on the Rum Jungle road project at Batchelor and Josh commenced employment with Fawcett Transport Company at Tipperary Station building a new air strip.

Six participants have been employed in the construction industry, while one has found work with Indigenous-owned construction and mining company Rusca Brothers at Delamere. Another was hired by R&S Gardening at Batchelor.

Construction work can be hard and hot work but this group is showing other remote job seekers what is possible with some training and a desire to build a better future for themselves and their families. 

The Australian Government’s Community Development Programme (CDP) helps people living in remote Australia to find work and allow them to contribute to their community and gain skills while looking for work.

The Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant), training was provided at Ironbark’s Adelaide River site, one hundred kilometres south of Darwin, with CDP participants coming from regional towns and communities like Batchelor, Tortilla Flats, Amangal Aboriginal Community and Adelaide River.

Find out more

Having a job helps people build the future they want for their families and their communities. The Australian Government’s Community Development Programme (CDP) is creating better opportunities for job seekers in regional and remote Australia.

To find out about CDP activities in your area, contact your local Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Regional Network office.

The Adelaide River activity is one of a range of activities conducted by Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation that are developing skills and work experience of programme participants and providing direct benefit to local communities.