From Q Build to U Build: Palm Island building project

Other Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Hill, Angela;Dalley-Trim, Leanne
Abstract

Discussions with key stakeholders over a 12-month period noted concerns about the progress of VET on Palm Island. Meeting notes indicate the following issues: •Low levels of literacy and numeracy skills and inadequate provision of support. •Attendance of apprentices/trainees and work ethic generally. •Confusion around coordination of stakeholders and timely completion of training. •QBuild mentoring. •Cultural awareness of those involved in training. QBuild's appointment of the Industry Training Support Officer (ITSO) in August 2007 represents an innovative approach to improving outcomes for construction trainees on Palm Island. The position description clearly notes the intention to support the trainees as well as overseeing the coordination of all the requirements to fulfil the obligations of a traineeship. The selection criteria for the position clearly note the importance of technical skills within construction, as well as effective cross-cultural communication skills. A critical additional feature of the position is the location – Palm Island. In view of the data and the research literature as presented here, there appears much to 'take heart in' in relation to current initiatives – and in particular, the QBUILD mentoring program and the introduction of the ITSO role. In line with this, the data collected during interviews with a range of key stakeholders adds further weight to the apparent, and current, 'success stories' of this initiative (and other accompanying schemes). That said, challenges remain – as one might expect with the implementation of any new program.

Journal

N/A

Publication Name

N/A

Volume

N/A

ISBN/ISSN

N/A

Edition

N/A

Issue

N/A

Pages Count

30

Location

N/A

Publisher

N/A

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

N/A

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

N/A