On the 26th October, CK Maloney Surveying Director, Craig Maloney, had the pleasure of being invited to an information event for a group of young men from the local Clontarf Foundation, held at Hitachi Machinery Project Site in Forestdale, by ADCO Constructions.
The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate more meaningfully in society. The Clontarf Foundation commenced in 2000 with a single academy located at the Clontarf Aboriginal College in Waterford, WA. The programme catered for 25 students and was operated by two staff members, including founder and current CEO Gerard Neesham. More than 20 years on, the Foundation operates 139 academies in WA, NT, QLD, NSW, VIC and SA, supports more than 10,000 participants and employs over 530 dedicated staff members.
This event aimed to offer the group insight into the background of a working construction site and an understanding of the coordination, specialities and skill sets of the companies and people who work together to make it all happen.
ADCO Constructions kindly allowed representatives from every consultant and sub-contractor to give a brief overview of what we do on site, how we do it, and the education and career pathways that they could take to get into the industry if they would choose to.
After a hearty lunch the group walked the site with the group and were able to witness real world practices taking place on a site. Some very good questions were asked and representatives were able to provide answers to give these young men some insight into this amazingly diverse industry.
Craig explained "I did reflect on the drive back to the office on what I presented to this group of young adults today, in explaining what surveyors do and how we influence others. It sounds very presumptuous, but surveyors and the information they create and provide, have a significant impact on all consultants during a design process. Further to this, surveyors influence and affect all works thereafter when construction on a project begins. I acknowledge that we are all cogs in the machine of construction but I feel proud that surveyors keep all the cogs aligned and working together to achieve the finished goal."
If you or someone you know is interested in a career in Surveying please do not hesitate to reach out and have the discussion around this diverse and rewarding industry.
CK Maloney Surveying deeply appreciate the opportunity that ADCO Constructions offered Craig and the other representatives to speak, and maybe influence, the next generation attending today.