Water industry careers in focus for Narrogin students

Seven Clontarf Foundation students from Narrogin Senior High School were given a unique insight into careers in the water industry during a recent visit to Water Corporation’s Bottle Creek dam and pump station.

The students in Years 10-12 learnt about the operation of local water supply scheme and were shown the skills needed to become a water supply operator.

The visit was part of a long-running partnership between Water Corporation and Clontarf Foundation designed to promote career opportunities in the water industry.

Since 2008, 34 Clontarf students have graduated from Water Corporation’s traineeship, apprenticeship and graduates programs, with five employed in the Great Southern.

Water Corporation Great Southern Regional Manager Adrian Stewart said the partnership helped introduce students to a rewarding and challenging career in the water industry.

“When students are thinking of what they’d like to do after high school, we want them to see the water industry as somewhere they can have a long and rewarding career,” Mr Stewart said.

“Water Corporation has a strong commitment to creating employment opportunities for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people, and through our work with Clontarf we’ve been able provide 34 positions within our apprenticeships, traineeships and graduates programs, to former students.

“It was great to have this latest group visit the Bottle Creek dam and even more encouraging to see the students’ interest in how the local scheme operates.”

Clontarf Foundation provides mentoring through local schools to improve education, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

Narrogin Clontarf Academy Director Henry Papertalk said the students enjoyed the visit and were enthusiastic about employment opportunities in the water industry.

“The boys were really grateful for the tour as it gave them firsthand experience of what working in the water industry entails,” Mr Papertalk said.

“Showing there is a clear pathway into these sort of roles can be really meaningful for the boys because it helps them set a clear direction for their future”.

To find out more about the Water Corporation and Clontarf Foundation partnership visit our website.