Twelve Parkes community members are now equipped with the hands-on skills to start a career in the growing horticulture and landscaping industries thanks to a training program by Skillset, CMOC-Northparkes Mines (Northparkes), Training Services NSW and TAFE NSW Parkes. 

The program enabled the students to complete a Statement of Attainment in Treating Weeds and Tree planting at TAFE NSW and put their skills into action to help them gain employment in a Skillset Land Works crew to complete a major biodiversity and tree-planting project at Northparkes’ offset property Kokoda, located 35km south-east of Parkes in the Mandagery locality. 

Northparkes Manager People, Safety and Environment, Stacey Kelly, said it was great to collaborate with Skillset and TAFE NSW to fill a need for landscaping works at our offset property. 

“By completing training at TAFE NSW the students were equipped with the hands-on skills needed to hit the ground running with the replantation works. 

“We were able to provide five of the students with employment as a result of the program and they have been a great asset to the organisation.” 

Skillset CEO Craig Randazzo said it was gratifying to see the positive impact that the TAFE NSW training had on the participants.  

“This program is a demonstration of commitment to the local Parkes community by engaging local Parkes and Forbes residents and it was great to hear first-hand how much they all appreciated the opportunity to complete training at TAFE NSW. 

“The partnership with TAFE NSW, Training Services NSW and Northparkes is a great example of how we have worked together to bring about positive change in the participant’s lives, through training and skills development resulting in real employment outcomes.” 

TAFE NSW Teacher, Richard Ingham, said full credit should go to the students who embraced the training, putting in lots of effort to learn job-ready skills to help them undertake the works for Northparkes and provide a pathway to a career in the horticulture and landscaping industry. 

“The training provided to the Skillset Land Works participants is just one example of Australia’s largest training provider tailoring its training to meet the unique, individual needs of local industry and business.  

For more information on customisable training programs available at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.   

Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, (02) 6338 2509, mobile 0427 901 515.