THE Sunshine Butterflies’ Our Backyard development is continuing to support the community by offering 15 trainees the chance to learn vital work skills.
The charity is taking advantage of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative by offering young people the opportunity to learn new skills and become job-ready as they help develop the Sunshine Butterflies land.
The initiative focuses on developing skills for a certificate I qualification in the building industry and site supervisor Robert Purves said he is impressed with the trainees’ enthusiasm.
“In my 20 years working in the building industry, this opportunity to mentor and work so close with these amazing young people over the past three months has definitely been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had so far. They’ve all been very eager to learn and are all very excited to be able to enter the workforce with their new skills,” he said.
Sunshine Butterflies focus on helping individuals and families who are living with disability find a special place where they can feel truly included, appreciated and engaged, as well as educating the younger generation about disability, acceptance and inclusion.
The charity previously operated out of an industrial unit in Noosaville but 12 months of fund-raising helped buy the current Cooroibah property where the team is working to turn the old nursery into a hobby farm where they can offer animal therapy among their services.
Sunshine Butterflies founder and CEO Leanne Walsh said the Our Backyard project is progressively becoming a “versatile use of community land” for the entire region, not only for people living with a disability.
“The excitement from our members and staff has become infectious as we are turning this dream into a much-needed reality for the community,” she said.
“The large space will provide access to many programs and activities that have physical, mental, environmental and social benefits and it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of these young people.
“They have so far assisted with our pool renovation, construction of the stables and playground, painting of the existing house and landscaping around the property. We thank them for helping us get one step closer to making ‘Our Backyard’ available for everyone to enjoy with us”.
The Work Skills Traineeship is one of seven programs that make up the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. Applications are open now for anyone interested in participating in the six-month paid traineeship with the second intake of trainees starting work on 20 March 2017.
To register your interest email kim@sunshinebutterflies.com.au. Any local businesses who would like to support the trainees either through employment or by contributing resources to the project, should phone Mr Purves on 0433 240 005.
