Ten residents from Claymore and Airds have today celebrated their graduation from a training course that will provide them with job opportunities in the construction industry.

The Skills Exchange program is a partnership between Landcom, Land and Housing Corporation and TAFE NSW that aims to give back to social housing communities by enabling residents to gain new skills to help them enter the workforce.

Landcom Chief Executive Officer John Brogden said the pilot project held at Claymore saw the students participate in an eight-week training course to gain a Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation.

“Skills Exchange is a key element of Landcom’s Research and Learning program, which aims to foster lifelong learning, and our Sustainability Strategy has a strong focus on social sustainability through delivering world-class, liveable places founded on equity, affordability and inclusion,” Mr Brogden said.

“Landcom is working with Land and Housing Corporation on a number of urban renewal projects to provide a mix of new social and private housing, including Hillcroft at Claymore and Newbrook at Airds and Bradbury.

“With these projects we saw an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy that will benefit residents by giving them the skills they need to find employment in Australia’s largest industry.

“The property sector in Australia is valued at more than $200 billion and represents 13 per cent of Australia’s GDP, and there are many organisations looking for people to work in the industry.

“Five students have been offered positions with contractor Western Earthmoving, which is undertaking civil works to enable future residential development at the Newbrook project.

“The other five will be connected with labour hire companies to help their job search.”

Mr Brogden said six of the students were men and four were women, ranging in age from 15 to 31.

Landcom is exploring options to expand the Skills Exchange program to other projects.

The Newbrook project covers an area of 62 hectares and will transform the existing 1,500 lot public housing estate into a master planned community with about 2,100 new dwellings for 4,800 residents. 

Stage 1 and 2 are complete and further stages are now underway.

The 10 graduates are:

• Aaron Rako
• Tasileta Poutasi
• Andrew Poutasi
• Desmond Poutasi
• Cigdem Ali
• Emily Adams
• Huldah Chan Check
• Paul Cooke
• Thomas Borland
• Uresh Mendis