Learn earn and contribute

Many hands make light work and Mornington Shire Council’s exciting collaboration with the Department of Housing and Public Works (Building and Asset Services) is already opening up new opportunities for motivated locals eager to learn, earn and contribute. The historic step towards a sustainable community housing repair model has employed twenty locals after operations commenced earlier this month. A huge challenge for the Wellesley Island council; Mayor Brad Wilson explained the new construction model assisting locals in gaining valuable qualifications in trades as “an ultimate feat”. “Council’s move will create a more sustaining future for our island community,” Cr Wilson said. An innovative team of carpenters, plumbers, painters and electricians have already reported a greater level of local pride, skills and work ethic shown in the past month since operations commenced, with trade assistants aged from 18-50, male and female. Mornington Shire Council’s housing department say “Council’s supervising workforce brings added skills and experience to the island; creating a real ability to offer opportunities out here”. Local resident and enthusiastic painter Kathleen Juhel, 20, says “it is an awesome experience to work with the local council and I can learn something new that will benefit me in the future”. “Council can implement education through training, provide greater opportunity to residents and improve service delivery while securing excellent value for money for external associations … we are working with community, for community,” Cr Wilson said.
 
Read full story