The First Nations CCF SA Roads2Civil Program, delivered by Civil Train SA, is making a significant impact on Aboriginal students from Playford International College and Kaurna Plains School, equipping them with essential skills for civil construction apprenticeships.
Over three weeks, twelve Aboriginal students participated in accredited training, including units from the Certificate II in Civil Construction, while engaging in a hands-on project to develop a native garden area at the college.
Samuel Ruyssen, Aboriginal Education Coordinator at Playford International College, said the innovative program not only provides practical civil construction skills but also fosters a connection to cultural heritage.
“The students engaged with real-world skills and competencies that link directly to an apprenticeship in civil construction,” he said. “The project involved creating a native garden within the school, where students planned what to plant embedding their culture and that of the Kaurna people.”
The new garden serves as a community space for local Aboriginal people, a culturally rich curriculum-based learning environment, and a source of native plants for staff, students and the school’s hospitality team.
A key feature of the program included a tour of a live construction site, hosted by Renewal SA civil contractor Winslow Constructors, where students received a surveying drone demonstration and the opportunity to sit in an excavator.
Work experience was also offered to these Aboriginal students with Renewal SA contractors and contacts through the Renewal SA Works Program. Five students took up the opportunity completing civil placements with the City of Playford and Renewal SA civil contractors Winslow Constructors and BMD.
Leeyannah, one of the participants, said: “throughout the course, I’ve met new people, learned new skills and gained an opportunity that will be very useful in the future”.
“The best part was the teamwork and learning the civil construction process,” she added.
Mitchell, another student, said: “It’s a great course to do, with a lot of experience, great help, and many friends to work with”.
The First Nations CCF SA Roads2Civil Program is a partnership initiative with Civil Contractors Federation SA, Civil Train SA, Renewal SA’s Works Program, Playford International College, The Department for Education, CITB, The Aboriginal Pathways Workabout Centre program, and The Smith Family.
The program provided invaluable support for these young learners, setting them on a promising path toward future careers in civil construction.