Builders glad indigenous staff took STEPs toward employment

A Broome construction company is leading the way in providing long-term employment opportunities for Kimberley indigenous people, with three staff graduating from a comprehensive training program last week.

B and J Building Consultants congratulated graduates Ty and Matty Corpus and Brett Mahony in a ceremony last week after they completed the federally-funded STEP program.

STEP, which stands for Structured Training Employment Program, is an indigenous employment initiative offering training in steel construction by the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations.

The three trainees stayed with the program to achieve the nationally- accredited Certificate III in Low Rise Structural Framing.

B and J Building initiated STEP in 2009 and teamed up with local training provider Djaringo to offer comprehensive training to unemployed indigenous locals.

B and J managing partner Paul Watling said he was extremely proud of the graduates, who are likely to become role models and inspire future generations.

Mr Watling said running the STEP program had been a steep learning curve for staff, who developed training literature and implemented systems to support the trainees.

“It was hard work at times but really rewarding to see guys get really stuck into the work,” he said.

Since registering for STEP, B and J took on more than 20 staff, each receiving on-the-job training and mentoring, and most completed various industry certificates including a white card, a forklift ticket and first aid.

Mr Watling said the company’s part in the program wouldn’t have been possible without support from the Government, Djaringo and B and J customers.

Supervisor Steve Harvey said the STEP program was helpful in filtering potential apprentices.

Graduate Brett Mahoney, who approached B and J for employment and started the program in 2009, said he was proud to have completed the program and that he had come a long way in enhancing his personal development and learning new skills.

Fellow graduate Matty Corpus said the program was an effective way to give long-term employment opportunities to indigenous people.

Mr Watling said he was looking forward to more STEP participants graduating.