CPB Contractors Hosts Work Experience Program for Clontarf Academy Students
CPB Contractors, a proud national partner of the Clontarf Foundation, recently provided a unique work experience opportunity in Melbourne, Victoria, for two students from the Bairnsdale Clontarf Academy, Jhye and Titus.
Under the guidance of Damien Foley, CPB Contractors’ Senior Advisor for Indigenous and Social Inclusion, the two students engaged in an intensive two-day program designed to immerse them in various aspects of the construction industry.
The action-packed schedule included hands-on experiences at two significant CPB Contractors projects: the West Gate Tunnel and the North East Link. Throughout their time on site, Jhye and Titus learned about the scope of each project, the mechanics behind tunnel boring machines (TBMs), the function of hyperbaric chambers, and the operation of a TBM’s cutterhead. Employees from CPB Contractors shared their personal career journeys, and both students were inspired to share their own life stories and cultural experiences in return.
“Our project teams found it rewarding to learn about the boys’ career aspirations while sharing insights into their own professional paths,” noted Damien.
A standout moment for Jhye and Titus was their hands-on experience with construction technology at the North East Link project’s Victorian Tunnelling Centre (VTC) at Holmsglen TAFE. They had the opportunity to practice using fire extinguishers and operating heavy machinery through advanced simulators.
“Utilizing the virtual reality fire safety technology allowed the students to engage in practical learning in an immersive environment. The gamified experience helped them apply their skills in a simulated fire scenario,” explained Damien.
Another highlight was the digger simulator, where Jhye and Titus enjoyed learning to operate heavy machinery in a controlled setting. To conclude their VTC visit, they applied the skills they had developed by operating a stationary digger, manipulating its boom, bucket, and swivel under the watchful eyes of experienced trainers.
This enriching work experience was made possible through CPB Contractors’ ongoing national partnership with the Clontarf Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem, and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
