DIVERSITY HELPS FNQ CONSTRUCTION COMPANY WIN AWARD
Builder supports those in need
THE capacity of a Far North construction company to, not only build houses, but offer training and support for the most vulnerable and needy members of society has been recognised in the recent Master Builders Awards.
MiHaven director Sarah Mort said the organisation won four categories, Women in Building, Diversity, Home renovation/remodelling up to $275,000 for a home on John St, Cairns and Medium Density up to Three Storeys for a Smith St property.
But it was the diversity category that has set MiHaven apart.
“This award was so important for us because MiHaven is a social enterprise. We employ 24 per cent indigenous staff, 50 per cent female staff and 60 per cent of the team come from Australia, Cambodia, Congo DR, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand and Philippines,” she said.
“We have trained lots of young people and sent them on their way.
“My passion at the moment is niche accommodation for people coming to Cairns.
“It’s really interesting – there is the growth of CQU and TAFE and JCU. There are so many hidden opportunities in Cairns.
“Every year the Cairns Hospital staff and suppliers, and within society at large. Within this extensive framework, a large proponent includes realising social justice targets such as workplace equality.
Other examples
Facilitated the joint venture partnership between a privately owned civil construction company, Eco Civil Solutions and Bulban, a Mossman based indigenous owned civil start-up company. The partnership has so far successfully secured a $1m project in Douglas Shire and is short listed for a new $5m project.
Supported the creation of Yarrabah Aboriginal Council’s construction workforce with training and continuous mentoring of six construction Indigenous apprentices living and working in Yarrabah over the past three years. has 200 doctors from UK looking for somewhere to stay while they’re here.”
Ms Mort said the business was set to start building its third student accommodation building next year.
She said the successful enhancement of the skill sets of around 15 recently resettled Nepalese migrants, through Centacare, was also an achievement.
“MiHaven collaborates across the board with Centacare to allow for students undertaking courses through the RTO the opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills in real-life settings,” she said.
“Most of these students possessed little-to-no English language ability when they commenced their courses, requiring MiHaven trainers to adapt and communicate their content through a variety of mediums.”