Photo (left to right): Brooke Mallison – Coordinator of Bamara DHUB and Coordinator Tiddas in Trades program, Minister Alister Henskens – Minister for Skills and Training, Khiarna Hargraves, Trainee Aboriginal Schools Mentor Bamara DHUB 

Alister Henskens – Minister for Skills and Training in the NSW Government- met with staff, students, employers and trainers associated with the Bamara – Dubbo Opportunity Hub and Yilabara Solutions on Wednesday 16 March 2022.

The venue for the meeting was Dubbo Regional Theatrette – Oxley Room, 155 Darling Street Dubbo. 

Training Services NSW funds both organisations as providers of the Aboriginal Initiatives programs, Opportunity Hubs under the NSW Government OCHRE strategy and Yilabara Solutions under the Barrangirra, Skilling for Employment Initiative. 

Attendees included: 

  • Brooke Mallison, Coordinator of Bamara DHUB and Coordinator Tiddas in Trades program 
  • Hailey Gray, Administration Bamara DHUB 
  • Khiarna Hargraves, Trainee Bamara DHUB 
  • Laura Wilson, Dubbo Traffic Control and Provider of training in Tiddas in Trades program 
  • Joel Mealey, HMC Solution and Provider of training in Tiddas in Trades program 
  • Wayne Mallison, Owner/Director Wayne Mallison Painting and Decorating Pty Ltd  
  • Matthew Clarke, CEO Yilabara Solutions  
  • Julie Blackhall, Baduwa and Barranggirra Program Manager 
  • Susan Coon, Barranggirra Mentor 
  • Montana Brown, Barranggirra Mentor 
  • Keelie Blackhall, Barranggirra Administration Assistant 
  • Skye Daley , Barranggirra Administration Officer 
  • Simon Kay, StructureCorp – employer 
  • Blake Taylor, Structure Corp – trainee
  • Belinda Pritchell, Senior Project Officer – Skills Broker 
  • Iris Doyle, Training Coordinator 
  • Tom Brain, Training Advisor. 

During the visit Brooke got the opportunity to discuss and showcase the DHUB Program.  

  • Spoke about delivering DHUB our program in 17 schools, Dubbo and Wellington 
  • focusing on individual career pathways for Aboriginal students from year 5-12 and assisting 1 year post school with transition to work or further education/training.  

A specific program that was showcased during the visit was the Tiddas in Trades program. Tiddas in Trades program is delivered through the Trades Pathway Program.

The program: 

  • provides a culturally adapted six-week pre-employment training program for Aboriginal women in the Dubbo/Wellington region and provides access to construction and earth moving industries 
  • raises awareness of the opportunities that exist for women in non-traditional and male-dominated industries 
  • promotes local networking between employment services, training providers and local employers in the region and creates a pipeline of trained/skilled Aboriginal women to strengthen the local labour market. 

Training undertaken included: 

  • CPCCWHS1001: Prepare to work safely in the construction industry 
  • RIISAM202E: Use hand and power tools 
  • BSBTWK201: Work effectively with others                  
  • RIIWHS202E: Enter and work in confined spaces 
  • RIIWHS204E: Work safely at heights 
  • RIIMPO321F:  Conduct civil construction wheeled front end loader operations 
  • RIIMPO317F: Conduct roller operations 
  • TLILIC0003: Licence to operate a forklift truck  

The training is funded through Training Services NSW Skilling for Recovery in Construction program.

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