Since 2003, Joblink Plus Armidale work experience crews have been working with Council to maintain public areas and community assets, including the Town Hall and Library. ADC Property Manager Andrew Strudwick said the long and successful partnership has seen job seekers painting, concreting, building and obtaining specific skills such as furniture restoration.
“Council supports initiatives for individuals to develop skills; this partnership is an example of that. We began the venture with the condition that no work would be taken away from Council staff. It is a mutually beneficial program that works really well, because it assists us in getting the jobs done that might fall through the cracks,” Mr Strudwick said.
In their next project, supervisor Paul Halcro and the work experience crew will tackle renovations at the Traffic Education Centre, a Council managed building that Mr Strudwick said was constructed in the 1980s and is beginning to look sad and tired.
Joblink Plus Armidale team leader Rick Whittley said projects carried out by job seekers in the work experience program helped them develop more than just property maintenance skills.
“It helps them with their communication skills and gives them a sense of pride and achievement in the work they complete each day,” Mr Whittley said.
