Construction is underway on a new $2.2 million social housing renewal project at Short Street, Dubbo, delivering genuine benefits for senior community members and TAFE students.
The two-storey development will see eight social housing apartments built as part of a partnership between TAFE and the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC).
TAFE Dubbo construction students will work alongside professional tradespeople and TAFE supervisors on-site, to help students gain invaluable hands-on experience building new homes. It’s part of a broader program that’s growing the construction industry’s skills base and making young people employment-ready.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said this innovative collaboration between TAFE NSW and LAHC gives young people looking to enter the workforce, through an apprenticeship, practical industry experience on a real construction site.
“We are not only growing our construction industry’s skills base and helping young people get jobs in construction trades, we’re also delivering high-quality, new social housing,” Mr Saunders said.
The two-storey apartment building will provide eight one-bedroom homes designated for seniors, located near public transport and shops and 1.2km from the Dubbo town centre.
The skills building partnership between TAFE NSW and LAHC has been benefitting future construction workers since the 1980s.
Since 1999, an estimated 1200 pre-apprenticeship carpentry and plumbing students have helped build more than 30 new properties, while enhancing their skills and future career prospects.
Construction is also expected to start next month on a $4.58 million project at Jubilee Street in South Dubbo to build 14 new social housing properties to support senior tenants.
These new homes will also be located near health services, shops and other facilities and will be deliberately designed and landscaped to complement the character of the surrounding neighbourhood.