At Programmed, the work we do is about more than delivering quality maintenance services. Through our partnership with Homes NSW, we also have an opportunity to create meaningful connections with the communities we work within, share the skills and experience of our industry, and help open doors to employment, skills development and future careers.
Recently, our Homes NSW team in Sydney brought this commitment to life by through Build Your Future - a hands-on trades expo that invited tenants, job seekers, local school groups and community members to pick up the tools, try something new and explore where a career in the trades could take them.
Over 100 attendees rolled up their sleeves and worked their way through a range of interactive activities designed to build practical skills, confidence and curiosity.
From patching holes and repairing flyscreens to blind-building challenges, LEGO construction, dooring and roofing activities, there was something for everyone to try.
The hands-on format created an engaging environment where attendees could learn directly from experienced industry professionals, ask questions and experience different trades for themselves. There was plenty of learning along the way – and even a little friendly competition.
Opening doors to new opportunities
For many attendees, Build Your Future offered their first real opportunity to experience working in the trades.
Of those who registered, 84% said they had no prior experience working in the trades, while 85% of attendees said they were happy to be contacted after the event about employment and other future opportunities.
One attendee described it as “such a fun day getting to try things I had never had a go at before,” while Homes NSW praised the event for creating an engaging environment where people could explore potential career pathways through practical, hands-on activities.
Importantly, the event created opportunities for conversations that might not otherwise happen. Vendors were able to connect directly with people looking for work, share their own experiences and provide a real-world perspective on what a career in the trades can offer.
“You could see people arrive unsure of what to expect and then really get involved once they started the activities. It opened up some great conversations about apprenticeships, employment and what working in a trade actually looks like. Hopefully, for some of the people we met, this is just the beginning.”
Building futures together
The energy and enthusiasm throughout the day made Build Your Future a memorable experience, with people of all ages getting involved, trying something new and building confidence along the way.
Beyond the activities themselves, the event showed the value of bringing industry and community together to create meaningful connections and open up new possibilities.
By giving people the chance to explore practical skills and connect directly with industry professionals, Build Your Future helped turn curiosity into confidence – and, for some, potentially the first step towards a new career.
