Earlier this year, two of our BY Group cadets, Jordan Williams and Priscilla Dann toured the ACT, with a special visit to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) with Operations Manager, George Kandylas.
Here is what Jordan has shared about their experience in Canberra:
"Priscilla and I embarked on a journey south to Canberra, accompanied by BY Group Operations Manager, George Kandylas, and we had the chance to tour AIATSIS.
We explored a range of cultural artefacts that hold deep significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These artefacts are not just historical items, but living representations of our culture, identity and connection to Country.
Witnessing them firsthand gave us a stronger appreciation of the rich heritage that underpins our work as Indigenous cadets in the construction industry.
During the visit, we reflected on the construction project BY Group is undertaking. While it may initially seem like a straightforward task, we’ve come to realise there are many underlying factors that add layers of complexity, such as environmental constraints, cultural sensitivities, logistical planning and stakeholder engagement. This experience reminded us that building on Country carries responsibility and respect, especially when Indigenous heritage is involved.
Following our visit to AIATSIS, we continued our journey with a site tour of a Data Centre project. There, we were given an in-depth walkthrough and comprehensive overview of the works being carried out, led by Senior Project Manager Tim Lovell and the highly knowledgeable Project Engineer, Bríd Howdy.
Through their guidance, we gained valuable insights into the importance of maintaining high standards on-site, meeting the client's expectations and fostering strong collaboration with our partnered builders to ensure successful project delivery.
The site is being overviewed from a live data centre where the client is able to have a real-time birds eye view of works being undertaken. This situation emphasises the importance of the site being well maintained with attention to detail at an all-time high. We look forward to continuing our tour of Canberra. Massive thank you to George and the BY Group team for the hospitality and educational experience."
If you're interested in opportunities like this, check out our Career Development Program on offer at BY Group.