South Australia Report - June 2010

Women in civil
After successfully completing two Learn to Earn funded projects last year, Civil Train SA has now been funded to undertake 4 training projects for new entrants into the civil construction industry.
These projects are focused at giving women and men from disadvantage backgrounds, the life skills as well as industry skills, required to enter the workforce. Following the tremendous success of the projects last year, we expect similar success stories in 2010.
CCF SA/DTEI consultation group
A high level consultation group has been formed between the CCF SA and the Department of Transport, to review tendering and procurement in South Australia. This has now been expanded to include the Department of Trade and Economic Development and SA Water. Terms of reference have been established and an action plan is being finalised.
Working groups have already been formed, to tackle some of the important reforms and initiatives, agreed to by all parties to improve procurement and tendering policies and practices. This includes a working party to consider the most effective ways to incorporate training outcomes into contractual arrangements for public works.
HO, Centre of Excellence update
Fit out at No 1 South Road, Thebarton has started. Six training rooms are in the final stages of painting and carpeting, having had high tech training nodes installed, to ensure best practice delivery methodologies are utilised. A workshop to train students in small plant and machines and welding has been established, alongside an under cover forklift and EWP training facility. The administration area has also been finalised with all staff moving in soon. An open space office layout has been adopted to effect consultative communication between staff.
The architecturally designed entrance foyer has been finalised and a builder engaged to deliver this impressive and functional multipurpose facility. At the forefront of reception, will be the 1928 Caterpillar tractor, restored and donated by the Department of Transport. Built in Illinois USA, the Cat 30 has a hand crank start, magneto ignition, starts on petrol and runs on kerosene.
Weighing 4t and with a 22.5kW (30hp) engine it has a top speed of 7km/hr. This tractor will contrast with recently arrived high tech Volvo simulators from Sweden. Once operational for training, not only will these be great training resources, they will be prominently visible from the entrance foyer.
A Hall of Fame for the South Australian Civil Construction Industry will complement these and will take pride of place in the centre of the entrance foyer. Everyone is welcome at the new home of CCF in South Australia.