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Gaining jobs skills and confidence while laying NBN cable

22 May 2017
Jobs, Land and Economy
An Indigenous young man and young woman wearing safety tops and an older man dressed in light shirt and dark trousers stand in front of small white van parked in front of yellow building with dark green roller door. Letters on the car door are A.S.A.P.

Several long-term unemployed Aboriginal people in Tasmania, after being given full-time work as part of the National Broadband Network, have demonstrated an increase in confidence and self-esteem as well as the ability to engage with others and take responsibility in the work place.

Following long-term unemployment, 15 Aboriginal people from Tasmania are celebrating full-time employment with ASAP Global Linc Electrical Services.

Helped by STEPS Employment Solutions, these job seekers have progressed into traineeships, apprenticeships and Telecommunication Cabler positions. They’re working with ASAP Global Linc to roll out the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Tasmania.

Aged from 18 to 50 years, the participants laid optic fibre cable, dug cable pits and connected cable from power pole to homes. They worked in the very confined spaces of ceilings and made in-house connections. They also controlled traffic during aerial connections and engaged in general labouring. Three of the participants were promoted to leading hand with the responsibility to hand out the daily jobs, manage equipment and inspect completed jobs.

David Johns, Project Coordinator of STEPS Employment Solutions said there was quite a change in most of the participants from the time of the initial interview through to program completion.

“Some went from very quiet and withdrawn to having confidence and being future leaders in the workplace and their communities,” David said.

“We found that our mentoring of the participants and also through them working full-time, they grew to understand the importance of punctuality, learning to work with others and being able to communicate with other employees, their employer and people within the community.”

David said that having a job had also given them their self-esteem back.

“Sometimes it’s not about the extra money that you earn, it’s about being able to say to your family and friends, ‘Yes, I work full-time and love it,’” David said.

“The increase in confidence and the other changes within their lives led them into other positions and even in one case, to starting his own business.”

Of all the participants, 13 are working in various industries including fibre optic cabling, gardening, the building industry and sign writing. Another is working in the food services industry and two others are in full-time caring roles.

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Getting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people into work and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to own their own home, run their own business, and provide for themselves and their families is a priority for the Australian Government.

STEPS Employment Solutions is part of STEPS Group Australia, a national not for profit organisation passionate about making a difference in the world by providing individuals and communities with the opportunity to do great things.