Feedback from some of Victoria’s Bridge Project Employers

Melbourne Water and Transfield Services

One of the nation’s Top 200 publicly listed companies has joined forces to fully subsidise one young person’s work placement for six months, with the potential to lead on to ongoing employment.

“It was fantastic how readily the concept was embraced by the businesses,” said John Woodlands of Melbourne Water, who is also a founding member of the project’s high profile Community Council.

“People seem to get it (The Bridge Project) and they see it as the right thing to do.”

Building Works

John Rosenhain operates a successful Melbourne based company specialising in large and small renovations. He employs a group of sub contractors and despite a varying workload he found he could also take on a Bridge Project young person. By sharing the support of his new employee among his building colleagues he was able to make the most out of the placement and offer the young person every opportunity to learn.

“It was something that I’ve long wanted to do, but was unsure of how to do it. He is getting exposed to all sorts of facets of the building industry, from demolition to clean up, framing to bricklaying. That was one of the attractive things. Rather than just getting him to sweep floors I could get him exposed to these sorts of areas. I get a buzz out of it, helping someone. You get an even bigger buzz when you see someone doing something positive for themselves.”