Water work gives trainee a pathway

A Water Corporation trainee praised his employer’s commitment to workforce equality during Reconciliation Week last week.

18-year-old Izaiha Humphries is one of 12 Aboriginal trainees completing a traineeship with the Water Corporation and servicing the company’s sites throughout the South West.

During high school Mr Humphries completed school-based work experience at the Water Corporation’s Bunbury depot and after graduating last year, he began a two-year Certificate III in Water Industry Operations.

The budding football and basketball player said he enjoyed the practical side of learning, which includes testing water quality, repairing and installing water services and maintaining water catchments.

“I have a couple of family members that work here which has made it easy and I like doing the hands on work like digging down to the pipes and fixing them,” Izaiha said.

“After my traineeship, I hope to get a full-time gig with Water Corporation – it’s a good industry, they have good mentors and everyone has your back.”

Earlier this year the Water Corporation pledged to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to 6 per cent by 2021.

The target was part of its Reconciliation Action Plan aimed at improving outcomes for staff, continuing its training opportunities and engaging more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contractors.

Water Corporation regional manager John Janssen hoped the career-entry program would encourage young Aboriginal people to see the water industry as a worthwhile career path.