Swapping text books for construction tools, high school students have built a community reserve in Mawson Lakes as part of a new partnership aimed at fostering the next generation of highly skilled tradesmen in northern Adelaide.
Called the Target Work program, the initiative saw 50 students build a boardwalk and community recreation area along the popular Dry Creek Linear Park at Mawson Lakes.
On Tuesday 11 May at 12:30pm, the students from Parafield Gardens, Para Hills, Fremont Elizabeth City, Craigmore and Salisbury High Schools will celebrate the completion of the park and the official opening to the public.
Her Worship the Mayor of the City of Salisbury Gillian Aldridge will be there to congratulate the students and unveil a plaque at The Cove in Mawson Lakes, off Fourth Avenue.
Mawson Lakes project director Vince Rigter said the initiative addressed local skills shortages by giving students an opportunity to participate in construction work in the award-winning Mawson Lakes community.
“Students involved in the project have gained practical experience and skills in a range of construction related fields, including carpentry, metal work, bricklaying and paving, painting, landscaping and irrigation,” he said.
“The students did an impressive job creating a beautiful recreational space for northern Adelaide residents in Mawson Lakes. They constructed an impressive timber bridge, concrete path, stairs, shelter, barbecue, retaining walls, steps, grading of banks and some stunning landscaping.
“Projects like these are designed to give students broad practical experience on a real building site. The students have had the opportunity to gain an appreciation of the skills required in the construction industry with a view to pursue one of the many career paths available.”
“Delfin Lend Lease has actively encouraged local builders and tradespeople to consider these students for employment. It is likely that 3 of the students will gain immediate traineeships in the carpentry and landscaping fields.”
An initiative of the Department of Education and Children’s Services, the Target Work program is a practical skills training scheme based on construction programs for students and youth with a career focus on trades.
The Fourth Avenue Reserve Project has been constructed in conjunction with Delfin Lend Lease, Bench Excavation, Steinwedel Landscape Consultants and The City of Salisbury.
Mawson Lakes is being developed by Delfin Lend Lease and The Land Management Corporation. Delfin Lend Lease is Australia’s leading developer of masterplanned communities with 25 projects in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.
For further information, interviews, or images, please contact:
Matthew Hart / Liz Christiansen, BBS, 07 3221 6711