Our Community - Our environment Hunter Workways has made a significant contribution to the conservation, protection and restoration of our local natural environment and heritage. Since 2003, our Green Corps projects have given hundreds of local young people the opportunity to improve their career prospects through accredited training, hands-on experience, structured work activities and personal development. Independent exit surveys commissioned through Job Futures indicate over 65% of our team members have gained employment or further training outcomes 6 weeks after their project ends. National Green Jobs Corps Projects Hunter Workways is proud to be delivering National Green Jobs Corps in the Lower Hunter as a member of Job Futures. National Green Jobs Corps is an Australian Government initiative. It gives young people six months work experience and training on environmental and cultural heritage projects. Participants learn worthwhile work and life skills that can put them on the pathway to employment and education. Is National Green Jobs Corps for you? The 26-week environmental training program offers young people aged 17-24 years a combination of work experience, skill development and accredited training to ensure they are ready for employment in emerging green and climate change industries. Participants are referred to the program through their JSA Provider or Centrelink. For FAQs and project referral information please call 1800 077 700 or visit Job Futures Green Jobs Green Corps Projects Hunter Workways provides accredited training, skills ,personal development training and work experience. Our youth-related experience is clearly demonstrated through the Green Corps program where Hunter Workways has been consistently recognised for best practice project management 2006 Jobfutures/DEEWR Quality and Consistency in Project Delivery Award, 2006 Job Futures Team Leader of the Year Award, 2004 Job Futures Best Project Award. Our successful projects have included, Seeds, Weeds and Green Deeds at the Wetlands: Shortland Check out our pictures gallery for great photos of the project ! The Seeds, Weeds and Green Deeds project assisted the Hunter Wetlands Centre with regeneration and environmental protection activities. The Green Corps team participated in nursery and propagation work, habitat creation and monitoring, predator proof fencing maintenance and construction, revegetation and regeneration works. The team also significantly contributed to the National Tree Day event on Sunday 2nd August 2009 planting 10,000 trees in collaboration with the local community. Team members attained a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management, Workcover Accredited Occupational Health and Safety training, Senior First Aid and career development assistance. Ngioka's Seeds of Knowledge project: Port Stephens The Green Corps team partnered with the Ngioka Centre and gained skills in seed collection, seed treatment and propagation techniques. Formal training was provided in plant identification, Occupational Health and Safety and First Aid. The team also received training in nursery management practices including fertilising, stock transfer, nursery logistics, weeding, nursery hygiene and recording and reporting data. North Creek Rehabilitation project: Warners Bay In partnership with Warners Bay Landcare, Green Corps participants rehabilitated the riparian zone of North Creek, Warners Bay. With formal training in Conservation and Land Management, the team undertook extensive riparian bush land regeneration works using provenance species, weed removal and control, ground mulching, improved soil integrity, water testing and pathway construction. The team studied the effects and pressures of urbanisation on the environment and organised various community education activities and engaged local businesses for insight and experience in potential career opportunities. Hawks Nest/ Tea Gardens Endangered Koala Recovery Project In partnership with the Hawks Nest/Tea Gardens Koala Working Group the Green Corps team worked to restore and enhance critical Koala habitat, specifically in the Jimmy's Beach area of Hawks Nest. This declining Koala colony is listed as endangered and works were carried out under the guidelines of the "Endangered Koala Population Recovery Plan". The team received formal training in Conservation and Land Management and undertook extensive bush regeneration works, access control, dune fencing, the installation of interpretive signage and nest boxes, seed collection and propagation works. They also provided work reports, Koala monitoring data and presentations to the Working Group and wider community. As part of the project the Green Corps team studied the effects and pressures of development and tourism on both the environment and the local community. Pelican/ Blacksmiths Landcare assistance project In partnership with the Pelican/Blacksmiths Progress and Landcare Association this project focused on environmental rehabilitation works on a site encompassing the reserve alongside Soldiers Road Pelican. Sites of this nature require constant work to control weed invasion, feral animal species and community usage. The team took part in a range of work experience activities including bush regeneration, native seed collection and propagation and tree planting. The project also aims to improve community access through the construction of walking tracks using ecologically friendly methods. Port Stephens Goo-roo-mul Gir-rung Project In partnership with Worimi Local Aboriginal Lands Council, 10 young people from indigenous and non-indigenous backgrounds joined a Green Corps team to learn more about the unique identity of the Worimi people and gain invaluable environmental and cultural heritage training. The project involved regenerating the natural wetlands through weed identification and removal, enhancement with new native planting, and improvement of the site's overall biodiversity and amenity. The project also concentrated on remnant bushland rehabilitation and the establishment of a sensory garden. Visit our photo gallery section Wehave lots of great pictures of especially the Green Corps projects !