As Caitlin Harris, 15 walked around the newly renovated 8 Gibbons Road, she pointed to walls, skirting boards and edges of the home that she painted.
The Bremer State High student and apprentice painter was just one of 60 Ipswich high school students that worked on the project funded by Apprenticeships Queensland.
The non-for-profit Ipswich based business purchased the 1930’s house over 12 months ago and partnered with TAFE to deliver a renovation and hands on learning experience in one.
Caitlin got involved in the project, after her original after school career plans didn’t pan out.
“Originally, I wanted to do cadets and join the air force, but I realised I couldn’t because of some health problems,” she said.
“So, I decided to turn to an apprenticeship and painting is what I landed on.
“I spoke to the guys at Apprenticeships Queensland, and they helped me find a host here.”
‘Here’ is the 1930s East Ipswich home which was bought by Apprenticeships Queensland last year to undertake their fourth project.
The completed look is a stark difference to the properties purchased state.
A new kitchen, large steel deck, as well as an extra bathroom, ensuite and walk-in wardrobe were all added by the school-based apprentices and their supervisors.
Caitlin attended the site once a week to undertake both theory and practical training.
“I feel like after being here, I’ve learnt quite a lot,” she said.
“I would rather do something physically then learning it by sitting down and reading about it.
“I learn quicker when I am in a hands-on environment.”
Caitlin’s one of eight girls that worked on the project, but she encouraged others interested in a trade to take part in the program.
“I would say do it, if you’re a boy or girl,” she said.
“It really is a good experience, and even if a trade is not for them at least they know and they can keep trying again until they find something right for them.
“You can also meet heaps of people, I am also really starting to get to know everyone and make friends so that has been fun.”
Apprenticeships Queensland general manager, Paul Hillberg, said the program worked so well in Ipswich because of the housing market and the number of teens looking to take an apprentice pathway.
“In Ipswich we’re really lucky because we had reasonably priced homes that needed renovation and there was a gap between what you can buy a house for and what you can sell a renovated house for,” he said.
“It starts off with a community focus, some of these houses are at knockdown phase but if houses are knocked down, they’re not replaced the same.
“So, we start to develop a culture of ownership of not only the houses but the cultural footprint within Ipswich.”
But it’s not always profitable.
Paul said because of the length of the project, massive amounts of money was spent on wages for the apprentices.
“This project has taken 12 months, we spend so much money in labour because this project is about supporting young people, not having them do unpaid work,” he said.
“Builders could so this work in three to four months, but because this is a training platform it takes a lot longer and that’s ok, as long as we can recover, things aren’t always about turning a profit.”
Apprenticeships Queensland construction employment consultant, Karen Forbes, said the project created a workplace that boosted the confidence and skills of the young Ipswich apprentices.
“Personal growth is such a big thing we see here, the program gives them confidence,” she said.
“It gives them that little boost and I get to see them all the way to the end of their apprenticeship so it’s just fantastic.
“You’re there the day they sign up as a school kid and there when they sign off as a tradesperson and it’s wonderful to be part of that journey.”
