Laying the foundation for a potential career in bricklaying has been part of a unique taster program at TAFE NSW Corowa for a group of Corowa High School Year 10 students.
In a first for the town, TAFE NSW Corowa hosted a Youth Engagement Strategy Program for bricklaying every Wednesday for the past five weeks, with students getting hands-on training at the campus one day each week.
It comes as Australia faces a significant shortage of skilled bricklayers, with industry groups reporting that acute shortages are impacting housing and infrastructure projects, and potentially hindering the country's ability to meet its housing targets.
In a bid to expose the trade to the next generation of perspective bricklayers, TAFE NSW bricklaying teacher Liam Hood gave students a crash course in all aspects of the trade at the state-of-the-art TAFE NSW Corowa Connected Learning Centre.
Mr Hood said the TAFE wanted to give the students a foundation to build on and a bit of confidence in a hands-on trade.
“Bricklaying is a great career and a skill for life,” he said.
“When you build something, it’s there for the rest of your life and you can walk past it and say, ‘I built that’.
“There’s a physical side to the job, but also a real mental side where you plan and work out a job.
“You can own your own business or step across to other professions like landscaping, drafting or even architecture.”
Director of Corowa-owned building company Rivco Constructions, Rhys Jones, welcomed the taster course and said it played a valuable role in exposing local teens to a rewarding career in the trades.
“We really have a shortage in all the trades here and kids who really aren’t into school, should be getting out there and learning a trade,” Mr Jones said.
“There are so many rewarding trade careers out there and it’s great to see TAFE NSW Corowa showcasing that.”
Corowa High School careers counsellor Janet Lake said the students embraced the learning opportunity with both hands, literally.
“We are very keen to continue working with TAFE NSW in providing these unique opportunities to students,” Mrs Lake said.
“The bricklaying program has been a brilliant learning experience for our students and one they thoroughly enjoyed.
“I am focused on exploring these additional real-world experiences for our students, as it places them at such an advantage, when they seek out their future careers.”