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For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au
May 2014
energysafe issue 35
New program
gives young
plumbers a NUDJ
A new program is getting
talented young indigenous
people from remote and rural
areas around Australia into
plumbing apprenticeships,
bringing life-changing
benefits to their communities.
Charlotte Roseby reports.
Run by the Victorian branch of the
Plumbing Trades Employees’ Union
(PTEU) on a not-for-profit basis, the
Indigenous Apprenticeship Program
brings apprentices to Melbourne, helps
them get settled, and gives them the
support they need to get through their
training and get qualified.
The ultimate hope of the program, and
the ultimate satisfaction, is that fully qualified
indigenous plumbers return to their rural and
remote communities and start improving the
sanitation and access to quality water and
safe LPG systems. It’s a life-saving goal.
Many remote communities are lacking
even the most basic access to clean water.
The PTEU program is now seeing fully
qualified and skilled plumbers returning to
their communities, improving sanitation and
living standards wherever they go.
Reaching the goal posts
Indigenous apprentices face particular
challenges meeting the demands of an
apprenticeship. They typically have to juggle
family, social and cultural responsibilities,
and the need to return to their communities
for spiritual events and funerals. For a young
person from a remote community, the city can
seem like a huge, unfriendly place that’s difficult
to navigate.
The program provides suport to get them
through the testing times. Sponsorship, mentoring
support, tutoring and social activities help
apprentices carve out a life in the city and get
through the apprenticeship.
“We have a big network of people willing to
help,” says Indigenous Officer Jonathan Mullins
from the PTEU. “We have great teachers at RMIT
and the Plumbers’ Union is there for us. If the
apprentices are willing to put in the effort, the
support is there.”
Graduates of the Indigenous Apprenticeship
Program also have the opportunity to contribute
their skills to NUDJ Plumbing, a not-forprofit company that provides vital plumbing
and gasfitting services to remote Aboriginal
communities in the Broome and wider Kimberley
region of Western Australia.
Members of the
team are also busy
installing LPG
double cylinder
systems to homes
in Djarindjin and
Ardyaloon.
NUDJ Plumbing is the result of a successful
partnership between plumbing company Cooke
& Dowsett, the Victorian Plumbing Union, the
Nirrumuk Aboriginal Corp (an employment and
training organisation) and the Jarlmadangah Burru
Aboriginal Corp (a community in the Kimberly).
As well as improving sanitation and
water management in the Kimberly region,
the company also aims to break down social
barriers and heighten cultural awareness in
the wider community. The work is hugely
satisfying and a real opportunity to make
a difference.
“Access to clean water is the biggest issue—
and where we can really change lives,” says
Bret Sheehan from NUDJ.
Members of the team are also busy installing
LPG double cylinder systems to homes in
Djarindjin and Ardyaloon.
“The biggest thing about the gas work we’re
doing is that it’s installed by a licensed plumber
and we know it’s safe. They’re so isolated …
We leave knowing there’s no danger to the
householders.”
Kicking goals
Since their initial intake of six apprentices in
2004, the Victorian Plumbers’ Union Indigenous
Apprenticeship program is really kicking goals.
More than 50 people from remote and rural areas
around Australia have been through the program.
This year there are 15 apprentices.
“Every year we’re trying to expand,” says
Jonathan. “The group we have now is really keen.
They want to do something for themselves and
their community. The apprentices are job-ready
and we have had excellent feedback from
host employers.
“There are very few opportunities in
remote communities—there just isn’t much
there for young people,” says Jonathan.
“With this program they can travel the world.”
A world of opportunities: The Indigenous Apprenticeship Program is giving young people from
remote communities the chance to learn a trade, and they are using their skills in plumbing and
gasfitting to change lives.