[Photo courtesy of Joy Burch’s office]
Minister for Children and Young People, Joy Burch, has launched a new skate park at the YWCA Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre:
“Discussions with the young people identified the enhancement of the area around the skate park as an area of need,” Ms Burch said.
“The young people consulted with the local community and developed plans and drawings for the area to make it more engaging and user friendly, including a barbecue and seating area.”
After collaboration with a range of industry groups such as the Construction Industry Training Council, Construction Industry Training and Employment Association and the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF), the program started in June 2010.
“The young people had a chance to play an active role in the revamp and get a taste of what it is like to work in bricklaying or associated industries and were awarded with three units of competency from the Building and Construction training package.”
The students also undertook training in Occupational Health and Safety and received the national occupational health and safety induction card (the White Card) prior to commencing the program. Three of the young people involved were offered apprenticeships in bricklaying by the ABBTF.
Let’s hope the un-engaged youth appreciate the effort.