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Albany employment program puts Aboriginal apprentices on construction career path

Headshot of Sarah Makse
Sarah MakseAlbany Advertiser
Impact Services director Stuart Roberts, Corey Ward, Dorenza Woods, Impact Services career adviser Georgia Scott, Chris Kelly, Cody Bennell and Wauters chief executive Brett Joynes.
Camera IconImpact Services director Stuart Roberts, Corey Ward, Dorenza Woods, Impact Services career adviser Georgia Scott, Chris Kelly, Cody Bennell and Wauters chief executive Brett Joynes. Credit: Sarah Makse/ Albany Advertiser

A program providing a pathway for Aboriginal apprentices into the building industry is finding success in Albany, employing 12 locals since it started two years ago.

Run by Aboriginal employment agency Impact Services and Wauters Enterprises, eight Aboriginal apprentices are working on projects including Mt Lockyer School.

Impact Services director Stuart Roberts said the initiative offered a structured training program and mentoring for new workers.

“The program has given Aboriginal people the opportunity to gain meaningful employment and a sense of pride and identity knowing that they are a part of a team, and are making a valuable contributions to their community and, more importantly, to their families,” he said.

Menang woman Dorenza Woods, 20, is halfway through her carpentry apprenticeship and is proud to be leading the way for other young women in a male-dominated field.

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“I hope I become a role model so more girls get into it and to show them that they can get into this industry if they want to,” she said.

“I would love to finish it and be fully qualified and then break out and do my own business and probably build my own house.”

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