Local apprentices are building new lives for themselves and their families and helping to create a new community as part of the $80 million Norlane initiative.
Minister for Housing, Disability & Ageing Martin Foley and member for Lara John Eren today visited the Geelong Work and Learning Centre. They were then taken on an inspection of the 6-star energy rated development by Hamlan Homes Apprentice of the Year, Sam Edminston, a Work and Learning Centre graduate.
Work and Learning centres support local residents by providing pathways to education, training and employment.
The Andrews Labor Government is working with home builders Burbank Homes, Hamlan Homes and Porter Davis to construct 160 new affordable private homes, a display village, and 160 new public homes in Norlane.
Local families are now living in 139 new public homes with the remaining 21 homes to be completed and tenanted in 2015. The private home component is around 75 per cent complete.
The three building partners have linked with the Geelong Work and Learning Centre and the Public Tenant Employment Program to each provide full-time employment for at least two local people to work on the Norlane project.
Seven people are now involved in apprenticeships in carpentry, cabinet making, plumbing, electrical services and bricklaying.
The 2015-16 Victorian Budget provided $6.6 million over four years to continue the Work and Learning Centre initiative to provide services to disadvantaged job seekers in Geelong, Moe, Carlton, Shepparton and Ballarat.
The Geelong Work and Learning Centre has helped 686 people, with 438 people finding work in industries such as manufacturing, warehousing, aged care, hospitality, building and construction and transport and logistics. There have also been 879 training engagements in accredited and non-accredited training.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability & Ageing Martin Foley
“The partnership between the Geelong Work and Learning Centre and the Norlane initiative is a shining example of how we can build people’s lives while also building homes and communities.”
“The opportunities provided by Geelong Work and Learning Centre are embodied by Sam Edminston, who undertook a construction course at the Centre in 2012 and is now an award-winning apprentice.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Lara John Eren
“The theme of this year’s Housing Week is Growing Together. The Norlane project, and the community who will call it home, are a good example of what this theme really means.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021