A three-week welding course at Federation University in Horsham will give young people a chance to develop their skills, with the aim of increasing employment potential.

The course started this week.

Goolum Goolum health promotion co-ordinator Dean OLoughlin said the partnership between the organisation and the university’s engineering department developed from the Deadly Bike program.

The initiative, which has run since 2015, involved young Aboriginal people restoring bikes while learning about mechanics, safety, co-operation and leadership.

Some of the bikes were donated to community members.

The project was an extension of Goolum Goolum’s award-winning Deadly Ute program in 2011 and 2012, where students customised a ute and detailed it with Koori artwork.

Mr O’Loughlin said the welding course came about from student interest.

“We asked the Deadly Bike kids what they would be interested in, and they asked if we could help them get into small engines and things other than just the bikes,” he said. 

“The welding course forms part of Certificate Two in Automotive Vocational Preparation.

“The module we’re running is the set-up and use of welding equipment. It is a nationally accredited course – it will really test them.

“By the end of the year they will be job-ready.”

Mr O’Loughlin said the organisation planned to look further into automotive and small engine training next year. 

“We want to get to a stage where the kids might want to work with small engines, and perhaps even create their own small business model,” he said. 

“We have a maintenance crew at Goolum Goolum, and people will get the opportunity to work on our crew and complete work placements.

“We also work closely with organisations like Skillinvest to place kids in apprenticeships and traineeships.”

Mr O’Loughlin said the welding course was also open to adults, and people not involved in the Deadly Bike program.