Frankston Hospital redevelopment equips trainees for construction careers

A traineeship program on the Frankston Hospital redevelopment has produced its first group of graduates.

Six young Aboriginal people recently finished the ‘Be Onsite’ program. The initiative creates opportunities for young people to enter the construction industry. It provides participants with practical skills, mentorship and peer support.

The 9-month-long program started with accredited classroom-based training. Participants then developed job-ready skills through working with subcontractors on the site of the $1.1 billion Frankston Hospital redevelopment. Throughout the program, First Nations businesses provided cultural, leadership and mentoring support.

To celebrate the graduates, colleagues, family and friends came together at Sages Cottage Farm. Sages Cottage provides education programs and employment for people with disabilities.

With the traineeship under their belts, the graduates are encouraged to access pathways into traditional apprenticeships or other opportunities in the industry. A new cohort of trainees will start the program in February 2024.

Be Onsite is one of the workforce development programs provided by The Exchange. The Exchange is a social impact initiative run by Lendlease and the Exemplar Health consortium.

2023 Be Onsite graduates