A Civil Construction course has been delivered by TAFE NSW Orange to adult migrant learners looking to improve their English language skills and upskill in Backhoe and Loader Operations.

The Construction industry is one of the top five employers of the Central West with jobs expected to grow up to 6% by 2026. As a priority skill in a difficult market, TAFE NSW is focused on delivering industry training to help skill the workforce of the future.

Head teacher for Career Pathways and Employability Skills, Andrew Johnson, said the course was designed to break away from the traditional classroom setting and provide learners with practical, hands-on experience while fostering language skills in a real-world environment.

“The practical components of the course introduce participants to a real work setting, allowing them to practice their English within a construction context,” Mr Johnson said.

“This not only enhances language proficiency but also instils the confidence to communicate effectively in a professional setting.

“By bridging the gap between theory and practice, the course aims to produce well-rounded professionals equipped with both knowledge and practical skills in the day-to-day operations of backhoe and loader equipment.

“Upon completion the learners gained Statements of Attainment in Excavator Operations and Wheeled Front End Loader Operations which will open the door to a range of job opportunities in the construction sector.”

One of the learners, Izabel Salazar, left Colombia and arrived in Orange only six weeks ago and is keen to enter the job market.

“My main reason for signing up to this course was to get out of the house, meet people and learn new skills,” Ms Salazar said.

“This course has been great because the teachers really take their time, people in Orange can talk very fast so having the teachers there to explain everything clearly has been really helpful.

“I found the course work very interesting, the theory and booklets were easy to follow, and now I feel confident that I can go out and get a job with my new skills.”

The course was a combination of the TAFE NSW Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program, which are funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs and Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, respectively.

For more information about these programs visit www.tafensw.edu.au.