A proud young Bundjalung man is one of the first participants of an award-winning new education and employment pathways program to secure a new career in the air conditioning industry.
Hayden Sneesby of Newcastle secured an apprenticeship as an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic with Precise Air Group after making his way to Sydney to attend interviews once he successfully completed the week-long Precise Air Aboriginal Pathways (PAAP) program in November 2023.
Mr Sneesby recently finished their latest intensive training at TAFE NSW Grafton, reconnecting with some of the six fellow participants who were also successful in obtaining a role.
"Going up to Grafton for the program was great, my Bundjalung mob is originally from up there. I met some of the Elders and they knew some of my people which was really cool, I learnt some more of my language too," he said.
"The job at Precise Air Group is great. I've always been interested in how things work, so getting the chance in a role that will give me a trade and a career behind me will give me lots of opportunities. Doing the study has really built my confidence especially on the electrical side of things.
"It's awesome to work for company that accepts people whatever their background. The bosses came up to the PAAP and really got into our culture and had learnings of their own as well, we had a good bond with them. The teachers and everyone like Uncle Gary have become good friends too and I keep in touch with them."
Because of Australia's relatively hot conditions, the country is home to more than 57 million refrigeration units or air conditioners, with skills shortages for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) workers occurring across the nation, and demand is expected to increase with the impacts of climate change.
TAFE NSW Senior Manager, Aboriginal Education and Engagement Team North Region, Sharon Taylor, said the PAAP program was centred around closing the gap by providing culturally safe and outcomes-focussed training.
"Cultural recognition, support and safety were at the forefront of the Pathways program, with our teachers and Aboriginal Education Engagement team members working closely with Precise Air, Aboriginal Employment Strategy Ltd, and community," she said.
"The program's success in effective collaboration and moving us towards Closing the Gap, has generated queries for similar customised programs from industries as diverse as other trades, cybersecurity and insurance across NSW."
Precise Air Group's Group communications manager Kelly Borskjaer said the company's aim with the program was to provide work readiness training, skills and employment opportunities to Aboriginal apprentices and cadets within a culturally appropriate framework.
"We're proud to have employed six of these wonderful participants and support them in their new careers," she said.
"This was a true collaboration between TAFE NSW, Precise Air Group and Aboriginal Employment Strategy ltd, in both developing and implementing this program. We continue to work collaboratively through our employee's formal training to ensure that they receive this wholistic educational and cultural support."
Ten students from across NSW were engaged by Aboriginal Employment Strategy to take part in the program.
