BER building industry boost

Building the Education Revolution (BER) school projects funded by the Australian Government’s Nation Building-Economic Stimulus Plan (Economic Stimulus Plan) are having a positive impact on jobs.

“We have been awarded projects at nine schools under round one and round two of Primary Schools for the 21st Century as part of the BER,” says Mr Keith Daniels, Director at WCK Pty Ltd, located in Port Lincoln.

“Before the BER projects, our full time numbers had reduced rapidly from around 110 to under 80. The BER projects have allowed us to consolidate and we have now re-employed many of the great people who we unfortunately had to retrench due to the global financial crisis.

“We have also hired a further five apprentices with several more positions to be advertised shortly as a result of this additional work,” says Mr Daniels.

The Cleve Area School, awarded under round one, already has earthworks commenced on site for the construction of a six class room complex.

All of the apprentices will be rotated through the BER schools projects providing them with additional invaluable experience.

“By the company securing this work, I have been given the best chance of completing my trade,” says WCK Pty Ltd employed apprentice Josh Frost.

WCK Pty Ltd is also committed to employing local sub contractors and suppliers for works on these projects.

”We use local suppliers and sub contractors where ever possible, so the Economic Stimulus Plan funding has not only helped building contractors such as ourselves in these trying times but the flow on effect to building industry trades in general has also been fantastic,” says Mr Daniels.

South Australia's Office of the Coordinator-General has been established to oversee South Australia’s component of the Economic Stimulus Plan which will deliver infrastructure in the areas of education, social housing, road safety, energy efficiency and community infrastructure.