Award-winning builder takes Indigenous leadership role

The Koori Job Ready program gives students a taste of different construction trades through an eight-week course, and includes classes in first-aid, interview skills and budgeting.

Mr Tobler recruits students for the course, teaches subjects such as carpentry and concreting, and helps students find work when they have finished the course.

Last year, 85 per cent of students found work after completing the course.

“It’s not a matter of putting someone in any old job,” Mr Tobler said.

“It’s about finding out what someone is interested in and helping them find work in that area.”

Students in the program come from all over NSW. Some are as old as 56 and most have never had a full-time job.

Mr Tobler also liaises with building companies to get them to put in place Aboriginal employment plans. Recently, an agreement was negotiated with construction company Watpac for 60 indigenous positions at its Channel 7 project at Australian Technology Park in Redfern. The employment plans have so far seen 194 positions filled by indigenous people out of a target of 205.

“My hope is one day there will be no need for programs like this and Aboriginal people will have the same opportunities as everyone else,” Mr Tobler said.

Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/award-winning-builder-takes-indigenous-leadership-role/