An exciting new partnership between Oxcon.CLL, 3D and Education Unlimited is building literacy, numeracy and communication skills for Tongan construction workers, through a health & safety training programme ‘Write Up, Speak Up, Be Safe’.

The first cohort of learners graduated from the programme late last year, and plans are already underway to roll out several more intakes for 2024. Oxcon.CLL General Manager Matt Mules has been pivotal in the development of the initiative and can’t wait for more workers to have the opportunity to participate.

“The nature of the programme is lifechanging. It opens people up to what is possible, to the idea of learning skills that they can apply not just at work but also in the rest of their lives,” says Matt. “The confidence they gain throughout the course breaks down barriers.”

Matt first discovered the benefits of Education Unlimited’s workplace training three years ago when he was involved with training and development for the Central Interceptor project. A course Education Unlimited delivered to Ghella Abergeldie JV staff gave him a firsthand glimpse into how the programmes empower participants to gain confidence and competence, become better communicators, and develop their understanding of health and safety.

“The Central Interceptor programme was a real eyeopener for me – that’s when I realised the impact literacy and numeracy programmes can have on people’s lives. The biggest thing you see is the confidence. As people’s confidence grows they start putting their hands up to be more involved, and this has a snowball effect that’s passed onto those around them. That’s what we want to create here with this programme – we hope as more people build their skills, they will champion the programme and it will grow its own legs.”

The 14-week course runs for 2.5 hours once a week and focuses primarily on workplace health and safety, delving into everything from the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to roles, responsibilities and obligations. Participants gain a formal qualification (“a first for many”), and celebrate their success at an end-of-course graduation ceremony.

“It was amazing being at the graduation ceremony and seeing how much confidence everyone had  gained. A number of participants got up and spoke in front of around 50 family, friends and businesspeople – they would never have done that before this course.”

Tevita Tevi was one of those participants, and even though he has worked in construction for 20 years, he says the course was invaluable.

“I found this course very useful because I didn’t even finish school,” says Tevita. “When I started this course I didn’t know why we do things a certain way. After this course I had a clear understanding of the purpose, the reason and why we do things. Now I understand the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, I’m not afraid to fill out an incident form, or run a toolbox meeting, or speak up in front of people – I’m confident to do it. I’m very happy I’ve done this course because now I know that together, we can create a safe work environment for everyone.”

That’s exactly the kind of feedback that Matt and his team were hoping for.

“Ever since Tina Rose (Education Unlimited Director) and I met at the Central Interceptor we’ve been bouncing ideas around, and it has been awesome to partner with her and our labour hire partner 3D to get this programme underway. It’s a cool model that shows how industry can come together to help other parts of the industry.”

By building workers’ understanding of health and safety, developing numeracy and literacy skills, and boosting confidence, they are strengthening their workforce, one employee at a time. But Matt is quick to point out that the benefits extend well beyond the construction site.

“Yes, there’s a flow on effect to the business – as people grow in confidence they’re more likely to take on additional responsibilities, learn new skills and become more effective in their roles. But that’s not our core motivation. Our motivation is to support people to reach their potential. If we are aware of these programmes, why would we not help people to grow? Now they can go and read books to their grandchildren, and that’s something some of them have never been able to do before.”