Parkes High School was the venue of a unique community project over the school holidays when 15 first year apprentices gained hands on experience laying brand new carpet, carpet tiles and vinyl flooring at no cost to the school.
The Floor Covering Institute of Australia (FCIA) and industry alliance partners coordinated the project for the apprentices undertaking the Certificate III in Flooring Technology. They worked on the foyer, library and STEM classroom floors for five days.
“This is a fantastic project with benefits for the school, while the apprentices gained valuable industry experience,” said Member for Orange, Phil Donato MP attending a ceremony last Friday at the conclusion of the program. “There is a serious shortage of skilled carpet and floor layers in Australia; it’s certainly a viable career option.”
The Chairman of the FCIA, Andrew Lewis said: “This is a unique program bringing apprentices, industry, trainers, and the community together to provide genuine career opportunities for young people.”
He thanked Parkes High School, Australian Industry Group Training Services, Choices (Parkes), and MEGT Apprenticeship Network provider, for their support. The apprentices received their FCIA Apprentice Trade Cards in recognition of the skills they will be bringing to the flooring Industry both locally and throughout NSW at the ceremony on Friday.
By Maggi Barnard