The idea took hold back in the 1990s when Tobler was working
with the unions on Sydney’s
Olympics sites. He saw opportunities to challenge misconceptions and prejudices
in respect of young Indigenous workers, and went on to explore possibilities
for training and apprenticeships with Col Warne at Lidcombe TAFE. “Col was enthusiastic
right away,” says Les. “I received wonderful support from Lidcombe – the head
teachers and all the staff.”
Tobler developed a partnership with TAFE NSW to help fund
and deliver the course. “They took some convincing,” Les recalls. “But I knew
it could work. I’d be there as a mentor I told them, and I’d bring in
specialists – carpenters, concreters, steel fixers, fork-lift instructors.
“The very first class, we had 20 young men, and 18 of them
were
later employed. 16 have stayed employed. The results have
been amazing. Baseline Constructions, Multiplex, Bovis Lend Lease as well as
small contractors – lots of people getting involved.”
Tobler was also instrumental in setting up a drug and
alcohol program for the building industry in the 1980s to provide education and
rehabilitation services to workers. “I remember sitting down with Pat Carr, the
workers’ compensation union officer, and thinking that we had to do something,”
says Les. “We found someone to co-ordinate the program, Trevor Sharp, who does
a great job. We have a rehab facility in Rozelle, and we’ve made an educational
video, too.” The program is now national and has not only helped thousands of
building workers with drug and alcohol problems, but also created a cultural
shift in the industry which has saved countless lives.
More recently Tobler helped to achieve an agreement with the
NSW Government and the Redfern-Waterloo Authority to continue the basic skills
and qualifications training and to ensure a minimum number of
Indigenous workers are employed on all the projects undertaken in the area. Les
feels proud of what’s been achieved. “It’s been a hell of a lot of work,” he
says, “but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
TAFE NSW Chullora and the Redfern-Waterloo Authority are offering
a Koori Job Ready Course in
Construction with a real chance to be placed in construction jobs in the
Redfern-Waterloo Area.
This course is for 8 weeks full time 8am–2.30pm. Subjects
include: General OH&S (Induction Card), Carpentry, Basic Formwork, Gyprock
Plastering, Use Of Safety Harness, Plumbing, Concreting,
Bricklaying, and Senior First Aid.
Course starts 15th Oct 2007 –completion 7th Dec 2007
Must be registered with job network agency
Information Session
Tuesday 25th September 2007 10am – 255 Wilson St Darlington
Yaama Training Centre
For enquiries about the information session contact:
Terry Kelly – 9202 9100 / 0423 414 643 Rohan Tobler – 9749
0400 / 0414 137 816
Photo: Tim Vollmer
– Andrew Ferguson, Les Tobler, wife Kathleen and son Rohan
Source South Sydney Herald September 2007 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au