The students are enrolled in the ‘Regional Construction Program’, a Certificate II in Construction by TAFE NSW and SPARK Training and Employment Initiative aimed at young people and unemployed residents, that began in March 2018.

The 14-week program has 15 students this year, an increase from 12 in 2017.

To mark the students’ success so far, organisers will host a barbecue at 12pm on May 31 at Zac’s Place (Saint Clements Church Hall, behind the Anglican Church on Pritchett Street).

The event will also double as an industry meeting with TAFE NSW and SPARK.

Cassidy Marks, Yass, said since she was a child, she had always wanted to work in construction like her father.

“This is a great opportunity for people who want to get into construction. I’ve learnt lots like concreting, mixing water and bricklaying,” she said.

Similarly, Matthew Rice from Murrumbateman said the program was a good pathway into adulthood.

“I’ve stuck with this program because it gives me construction skills that I’ll be able to use in my work life,” he said.

Graham Hewson, head teacher of building and construction at TAFE NSW, said the progress the students had shown was positive.

“Some of the students, who are still young, were disengaged during their school years and after only a few weeks in this course, they’ve become more engaged,” Mr Hewson said.

As part of the course, students are involved in hands-on projects in addition to theory.

Projects include roof construction, concreting and buildings of garden beds.

SPARK’s training and employment manager Emma Sckrabei said the 2018 program had a mixture of students.

“This young cohort interestingly come from diverse geographical areas including Yass, Murrumbateman, Jugiong, Rye Park, Galong, Harden, Bookham and Bowning,” she said.

The training of the program is subsidised by the NSW Government.

The barbecue on May 31 is open to the community and all local businesses.