Students well set for future careers

The students completed the course at Ertech Construction Academy, which provides skills to get a job in the mining, oil and gas and infrastructure sectors. They attended the Tamala Park academy two days a week to work with qualified Polytechnic West and Ertech trainers while still attending high school.

Polytechnic West trainer Bob Ragg presented awards to Callan Hughes (Lockridge Senior High School) for best all-rounder and Amber French-Newman (Lockridge) for consistent achievement. The top student award went to Caleb Kitching, of Irene McCormack Catholic College.

‘For a young person with a positive attitude, a good understanding of workplace safety and the skills to operate heavy machinery, there are opportunities aplenty in the WA civil construction industry,’ Ertech Holdings managing director Gavin Miller said.

More than half the students have been employed in projects in the Ertech group and some will find jobs with other major players in the industry.

Established in 2008, and driven by the vision of Ertech founder and executive chairman Jim Giumelli, the academy is housed at the Tamala Park Waste Management Facility in Mindarie.