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Third House Underway In Innovative Housing Project

Work has commenced on a third house in an innovative project where job seekers build a house from scratch and gain formal construction qualifications at the same time.

By Latrobe City - 23rd November 2007 - Back to News

The ‘Our Future Our Place’ project will see the construction of a new environmentally friendly house in Churchill, the third house built in the Latrobe Valley via this project. The project aims to be self-sustaining as homes are constructed, marketed and sold; in turn financing the next site.

During the construction of the 6-star energy rating house, participants are supervised by a builder and other tradespeople; and are involved in all aspects of the construction, fit-out and completion of the houses and landscaping of the block.

Latrobe City mayor, Cr Tony Zimora, said ‘Our Future Our Place’ is a project designed to provide long-term unemployed in the Latrobe Valley with the skills to gain employment in the building and construction industry.

"Our Future Our Place is a project developed by Latrobe City together with Try Youth and Community Services in partnership with a range of federal government and state government departments.

"The project has constructed two houses providing targeted training to achieve real job outcomes for the long-term unemployed and indigenous people of our community whilst addressing a range of community issues within former public housing estates. The houses constructed are innovative in design and are six-star energy rated," Cr Zimora said.

"Our Future Our Place demonstrates just what can be achieved when all levels of government work together. Council’s experience identifies that it is not just working together that is important, but that the crucial ingredient for success is relationship building, and in developing a level of understanding between all the partners involved in this project."

TRY Youth and Community Services is a not for profit community based non denominational organisation which sponsors youth and community service programs throughout Victoria. They have been integral to developing the program and undertaking the Our Future Our Place projects.

TRY Youth and Community Services’ builder on the site, John Johnson, has been involved with the project since the first Our Future Our Place house was built. "The project has been instrumental in improving the job readiness, confidence and self-belief of those who have participated," he said.

"The 26 week program is designed to provide participants with a broad range of skills that will equip them to re-enter the workforce. While building the house there is an opportunity to gain Certificate 2 in Building and Construction or of proceeding onto formal apprenticeships. They also have an opportunity to network with various tradespeople, providing them with valuable contacts with potential employers," Mr Johnson said.

"TRY Youth is currently looking for participants to join the house construction project that is currently underway in Amaroo Drive in Churchill. If people think they might be interested in working in the construction industry, but need to get some extra skills, this may be the program for them. Participants receive training; including Red Card, that is recognised by Centrelink, and it may give them a foot in the door to employment," Mr Johnson added.

The Our Future Our Place project also receives support and assistance from the Department of Planning and Community Development, Department of Human Services, Gippsland Area Consultative Committee and the private sector. Community groups have also contributed to the project.

Those interested in finding out more about involvement in the Our Future Our Place project can contact TRY Youth and Community Services, telephone 5133 6879.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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