Youths using newly-learnt skills on projects

YOUTH groups in the Selau-Suir district of North Bougainville are putting their newfound brickmaking skills to use on a range of construction projects.
“There are more than 1,000 members of local youth groups in this area where skills training is needed to give young people the confidence to set up their own small businesses and earn an income,” Selau-Suir District Youth Association president Jerome Nouhu said.
“The training was held so that youth groups can make money out of the blocks and their hope is to build their own houses.”
Ireneaus Semon, 28, from the Kamu Youth Group, was one of the participants, learning about value chain, brickmaking theory and practice, procurement and bricklaying.
“We first learned how to make bricks by mixing cement and sand, and the ratio for different buildings,” Semon said.
“Then we made the bricks using a brick mould where during the course we made 140 bricks. We then learnt how to lay the bricks and make sure they are aligned straight. Then how to mix mortar and reinforcement with steel rods, and which reinforcement is needed for single-storey and double-storey buildings.”
Since the four-day training, many of the participants are now making bricks for sale, while others are using bricks on construction jobs.
Semon added that members of the Kamu Youth Group were extending an early childhood centre in Kororitu village and building a shower block for a residence in Kokopau. However, they were keen to expand the business with better marketing to make houses.