GW and Community Max deliver for Upper Hutt group
Most of the eight Upper Hutt trainees in a Community Max scheme are moving into employment now the scheme is finishing.
Dave Murray, Campbell Crawford-Budd, Jeremy Edwards, Joshua Hockley, Joshua Campbell, Christopher Williams, James Martin and Howard Brodie were unemployed, but have been doing environmental work around Wellington region and building work skills for the past six months.
They have done weed work around Haywards Hill, the hills behind Eastbourne, the dunes around the Kapiti Coast and helped many volunteer care groups around the region with heavy work.
Greater Wellington Senior Biosecurity Officer Richard Grimmett saw the potential of the Community Max project to get a lot extra environmental work done in the region while giving young people valuable work skills.
The Ministry of Social Development came up with 40 percent of the project costs while Mr Grimmett co-ordinated Greater Wellington, Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council and the Department of Conservation to meet the rest of the costs.
Greater Wellington Biosecurity Team Leader Wayne Cowan oversaw the work programmes for the project and has been very happy with the results.
“The team worked hard and took out problem weeds such as climbing asparagus, boneseed and gorse from some of important bush and dune areas.”
“These guys have learnt many environmental weed control techniques and have a number of health and safety qualifications that make them very employable.
“They also have six months experience of working responsibly, doing difficult work in some challenging areas and that is going to stand them in good stead.
“Some have moved straight into fulltime work in diverse roles, such as the Army, an environmental contractor and a roading firm, while others have got job interviews lined up.
The scheme is winding up tomorrow (9 July) with a celebration of their work at the Belmont Training Centre at the Stratton Street entrance of the Belmont Regional Park Stratton St via Dowse Drive. The park entrance is 2km from the end of Stratton St.