GSCORE highlight demand for more trail builders

Albany’s Great Southern Centre for Outdoor Recreational Excellence (GSCORE) is hoping to attract more skilled workers for trail construction highlighting that although trail construction is a growing industry across Australia, there aren’t enough skilled workers to tender for jobs.

This month their Trail Construction Training workshop will upskill businesses involved in areas like civil construction, engineering, landscaping and horticulture who want to understand more about how to successfully to tender for trail building projects.

With the Great Southern finishing a master planning process, there will be jobs up for tender and GSCORE are keen to upskill local companies so they can tender for the work.

Currently there are three recognised trail-building businesses in Western Australia but only one with the capacity to work on large-scale projects, which will hamper future trail growth in the region.

GSCORE’s two-day workshop in Albany is an introduction to trail building suitable for those looking for jobs in trails construction, as well as businesses and land managers wanting to upskill staff.

GSCORE Executive Director Dr Lenore Lyons advises there is an urgent need for more skilled trail planners, designers and builders who can help achieve the outcomes which a trails expansion in the Great Southern will bring.

“In the trails space, winning a tender is more complex than on price alone so those who have upskilled will have a better opportunity to win the work which will come from the plan.

“Through this workshop we’re keen to help upskill local businesses so they are in a solid position to tender for projects around trails development.

“If businesses in areas like civil construction or landscaping – especially those new to trails –have a better understanding of what trail construction requires, this will help give them an edge to win these sorts of jobs.”

This workshop will also be highly useful and informative for:

• Local government or any state government agency responsible for trails.

• Members of a club, community group, conservation or land management organisation with an interest in trail construction or maintenance.

• Anyone wanting to start a trail building business or find employment in the trail sector.

Held on 26th and 27th November at Centennial Park in Albany, each day comprises theory sessions and hands-on training at various local trail locations. The workshop will be facilitated by Nick Bowman from Destination Trails who specialises in creating trails for all ages and abilities. He has more than 15 years experience as a mountain bike trail advocate and 14 years as a professional trail designer and builder.

Workshop cost is $150 per person for waged/businesses and $75 per person for unwaged/students.

Register at www.eventbrite.com.au/e/trail-construction-training-course-registration-
77716761927

For more information go to www.gscore.com.au