For trainees Kalem Davis-Wighton and Leonie Megee, a chance to work on the Batemans Bay bridge project was the start of positive chapters in their lives.
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Before the traineeship, Mr Davis-Wighton didn't work, despite looking since he graduated school.
"I've been looking for employment for a while, since I finished year 12 in 2017," he said.
"I didn't have much luck; it's a small town.
"All I did was play sports, did hobbies.
"Then I got the job and I'm flat-out doing work, actually earning something for a change. It's nice.
"I'll hopefully stay in the construction business."
Through the traineeship, he learnt how to drive a car, operate machinery and understand work procedures.
He said he would feel a great sense of achievement and pride to be part of the making of the bridge.
He said for him, his family and ancestors, the Clyde River (Bindoo) was "our life" and an important location for fishing.
Leonie Megee is in a job-share arrangement through the apprenticeship scheme while she studies a certificate II in civil construction and works on the Batemans Bay bridge project.
"I can balance my work life, getting back into the workforce, still raise a family," she said.
She wanted to eventually complete a certificate III then work in other areas in the construction industry.
Being an older trainee presented no barriers.
"Being one of the older trainees, I've realised age is no barrier," she said.
"You just need to try something new, that might be out of your comfort zone.
"If someone had said to me 12 months ago I'm going to be working in civil construction on the bridge project, I would have probably laughed at them."
The hardest part for her was the 5am wake-up.
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