Skills Development helps young men paint themselves out of the corner

MPA Skills has established a partnership with Serco Australia to develop a Painting Skills Program at the Wandoo Reintegration Facility in Murdoch.

Wandoo is a new concept in the rehabilitation and reintegration of young men in Western Australia. The facility is based on principles of Restorative Justice and uses Vocational Education and Training and other programs to support young men (aged 18-28) to make the transition from custody to the community. Wandoo has a clear goal to reduce the incidence of young men committing crime after release, and therefore to make a safer Western Australian community.

And this is where MPA Skills and Association members come in. It is proven that young men are unlikely to reoffend if they have stable employment. So, the painting skills program is designed to assist the young men of Wandoo to gain skills for future success in skilled employment.

And the early signs are very encouraging. Two recently released Wandoo Residents have commenced in the Industry, and another is soon to undertake his pre-apprenticeship at the MPA Skills centre in Maylands. Another ex-Wandoo Resident has recently gained his Painting Registration, and hopes to employ ex-Residents on projects around the Metropolitan area.

Wandoo Education and Employment Manager Alan Fealy says: “Wandoo Residents have greatly benefitted from the involvement of MPA Skills.  Not only do they gain new skills, but their trainers can give them invaluable knowledge on what it is like to be a painting tradesman”.