The McMahon Services Demolition Pre-Employment Program will be offered by McMahon Services in association with the Department of Industry and Skills’ WorkReady initiative, partnering with the Renewal SA’s Works Program.

The four-week program, believed to be the first of its kind in South Australia, will allow participants to gain experience working on demolition sites and achieve nationally accredited units from the Certificate III in Demolition. Selected graduates will complete their certificate and traineeship while employed by McMahon Services.

Participants will get the opportunity to work on a variety of sites, which may include the former Royal Adelaide Hospital now being transformed into the Lot Fourteen innovation district by Renewal SA on behalf of the state government.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Mark Devine, said the urban renewal of Lot Fourteen provided Renewal SA with a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with contractors and provide a unique initiative that will contributed to the state’s overall objective to increase traineeship numbers.

McMahon Services Demolition and Decommissioning Division Manager Chris Latham, said the program could open up an exciting career path in the demolition industry.

“There are lots of opportunities within this industry and this program.” – Chris Latham, McMahon Services

“You can progress from labouring to trades qualifications and supervising work and have the opportunity to gain operating tickets for heavy equipment. You also get the chance to be part of transforming sites into something completely new, as we are doing at Lot Fourteen.”

Taleesha Hamilton, 22, and Harrison Sola, 19, both gained work with McMahon Services last year through work experience placements provided by the company as part of its contract with Renewal SA for Stage One of demolition works at Lot Fourteen

Both Taleesha and Harrison are keen advocates for working in the demolition industry.

“I like that it’s a hands-on, team environment,” Harrison said.

“You need to work well with other people to get the job done and you learn new skills and how to use machinery.”

Taleesha has gained tickets in traffic management and operating an excavator and bobcat. She is looking forward to learning how to use other equipment and machinery such as front-end loaders and forklifts.

“I’m loving it,” Taleesha said.