Footpaths to pathways

The practical aspects of the ‘Certificate 1 in Building and
Construction’ involve site preparation, layout, formwork and concreting
for a footpath and a ‘pathway’ to an apprenticeship or a career as a
builder’s labourer. Each year Council allocates $1M a year to footpath
reconstruction and could add a further incentive to the program by
offering qualified youths a proper wage to do a few weeks work on a
footpath project, preferably in their own neighbourhood.

This would
be a win all round, young people would be given an opportunity to
engage with society and pick up important employment skills that are in
short supply and understand the relationship of reward for effort,
while the city gains much needed footpaths and reduced vandalism as
youthful energy is re-directed towards more constructive purposes.

“This is genuine restorative justice” Alderman Mulder said, “Footpaths to pathways.”