Miyay Birray’s, Darrel Smith, said the awarded contractor Hazell Bros Pty Ltd had been supportive of the program from the start.

“Rather than employing people from other places, we’ve partnered with a few organisations to be able to train local people so their developing skills will stay in the town after the bypass has finished,” he said.

Miyay Birray has worked with community members to find a number of people willing to participate in the program.

“No matter what… If they need to learn how to drive an excavator we will all work to getting them the correct training to be able to drive one. 

“Hazell Bros Pty Ltd has also helped a young man participating in the program, Wayne Swan, acquire his driver’s licence. 

“Even though it’s not a requirement, they’re still helping the boys advance in life,” Mr Smith said.

The programs developed after Miyay Birray employees found there were more Aboriginal people attending Year 12 but were not taking their education to the next level.

“Here are these kids wanting to learn more but once they finish Year 12 they don’t know what to do.

“If they are willing to continue their education, putting them in employment and training them up will help,” he said.

Trainee, Toby Key, said he had been enjoying working for Hazell Bros.

“We’ve been doing a bit of everything out here like environmental work and earth work, it’s been really good,” Mr Key said.

His favourite part about the program was the hands-on learning and support from the more experienced workers on job sites.

“I just want to say thanks to Peter Hall from Hazell Bros and the guys at Miyay Birray for helping me along the way and I am excited to keep learning and growing my skills,” he said.