Welding hope: The Iron Man Project

A new training project in Regional NSW is giving young people at risk of falling through the cracks of the education system a reason to stay at school.

The 'Iron Man Welders' project aims to help young men from Armidale learn a trade while they are still at school.

A group of about 20 young men meet at a former Council work depot in the afternoon and on the weekends to learn how to weld.

They are also required to attend TAFE courses and are involved in a program to lift their literacy levels to help them take written tests such as the test to get their driving license.

Many young men aged between 16 and 18 are in danger of dropping out of the education system, however the creator and coordinator of this project, Mr Bernie Shakeshaft, has found that these teenagers were keen to learn welding.

While some of them had tried work experience, there were few opportunities for apprenticeships.

The project has been helped along with support from the State Government and local businesses, including the New England Credit Union, Hillgrove Mine and the Armidale City Bowling Club. Their generous donations have helped buy the young welders some much-needed new equipment such as a drill press and spray painting equipment.

It began through Mr Shakeshaft's invovlement in Youth Links, a program to engage young people at risk in more positive activites.

The Iron Man Welders project is one way of filling the education gap. It helps to reduce drop out rates from school and shows these kids they can have a bright future in the trade.