By HOLLIE HARRIS
UNITED Synergies brought trainees, sponsors and project partners together at the Tait-Duke Community Cottage on Wednesday to shine a spotlight on the restoration and traineeship project which will help workers gain valuable experience.
Ten trainees have been selected to undertake a 16-week project to restore the cottage to its former glory in a project set up by United Synergies to create opportunities for these enthusiastic workers.
Ranging from 15 to 55 years of age, the trainees will get a leg up in the construction industry and gain skills that will help them enter the workforce or go onto further education.
Site supervisor Scott McKenzie said the trainees’ energy is contagious.
“The level of get-up-and-go within the team is really impressive.
“No-one has missed a day and I am astounded at the enthusiasm from all the trainees,” Mr McKenzie said.
The restoration of the 98-year-old Queenslander, which was gifted by the Tait-Duke family to Noosa Council, realises the dreams of 92-year-old Esme Tait that her childhood home will become a place for members of the community to meet and enjoy.
After being temporarily located at Wallace Park, the cottage has now been relocated to Earl Street in Tewantin and has begun its transformation.
After two weeks of inductions, the trainees will finish work on a community garden before taking on a full refurbishment of the cottage.
Once complete, the cottage will then be used as a community centre which will realise the dream of Esme Tait to return the home to the community.
“This project means an opportunity to chase dreams to enter or re-enter the workforce for all these trainees and we’ve had so much support and donations from businesses around our community,” Mr McKenzie said.
Local businesses have got behind the project with trainees being kitted out by Bootsco, Trade Tools and Evolution Screen Printing and Design, and support from trade suppliers including Bunnings, Kennards, and Holcim have been offered.
The Tait-Duke Community Cottage traineeships are a state government Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative and the project is a collaboration between United Synergies, Hutchinson Builders, East Coast TAFE, Noosa Council and the Noosa Heads Rotary Club.
Local business that would like to support the trainees by offering employment or would like to contribute resources to the project can contact Sean Connelly from United Synergies on 0439 047 290.
