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These are the words that we all want to hear come out of an �山���� Apprentice’s mouth. And this is exactly what Jakob Blake said when we called him up.

Jakob is a proud Aboriginal man who commenced his apprenticeship through the �山���� with AW Edwards in 2018. AW Edwards has been a key player in Australia’s construction industry since 1921.

Jakob was excited when he earned a place on the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office’s program with the �山����. Our partnership with this organisation helps us to embed cultural change and increase the supply of skilled tradespeople of Aboriginal descent into our state’s building industry. His most recent jobs with AW Edwards have been on the Blacktown Hospital and now the Blacktown Carpark.

"AW Edwards take real good care of me,” he said.��“They paid for me to get driving lessons, paid me for the days I missed when waiting for my COVID-19 test results and totally understand my family situation.”

Jakob’s nan was part of the stolen generation, so he does not know which tribe he belongs to. But that isn’t stopping him  from bringing up his two children, Noah (2 ½) and Winter (born early July) as proud Aboriginals.��His heritage is a key part of who he is, he feels like he is part of something special, he has something to learn and something to teach.��

“To be honest, being Aboriginal means everything to me. Just to be a part of this culture, just to live and breathe this culture shows me that I'm a part of something special. That alone gives me motivation.��And that's what it means to me to be Aboriginal.”

As part of the initiative of the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and their partnership with the �山����, Jakob recently received a $500 Visa Card as a reward for his ongoing work and commitment. Jakob and his partner Jessica (an  apprentice shopfitter) used the voucher to purchase nursery items.

“The voucher really helped me out,” he said. “It was awesome when Simon called me and let me know. This program really motivates me to be the best I can be.”

Simon Page is the �山����’s Apprentice Operations Co-ordinator. �山���� Apprentices are the best trained in the industry. We have apprentices available now, can be onsite the next day and available for short term placements. .��