ETC and Zarafa Group join forces to train and employ local job seekers

Unemployed people on the Gold Coast interested in traffic control or drilling services have been given the chance to test out the industry, train and secure jobs thanks to a partnership between Enterprise & Training Company (ETC) and the Zarafa Group.

Zarafa Group General Manager Steve Bryant said the company had secured large contracts and developed an internal buddy system which enabled this opportunity to come to fruition.

“We’ve had a lot of success with the people who have come through. There’s a lot of potential for them to move around within our company or be snapped up by other companies for leadership roles,” Mr Bryant said.

“We’ve had a guy who started with us initially as a Labourer with our Civil Construction crew and has been taught by his team how to operate an excavator. In about six months’ time he will be a qualified Excavator Operator.”

The Zarafa Group started eight years ago as Drilling Services Australia with only five employees lead by the owner – a young 33-year- old Michael Zarafa.

“Drilling is such a specialised industry – so we just went where the work was for the first four years. Then I noticed there was a niche in the market to become a Keyturn Operator in the Telco industry just before the NBN started. So creating this part of our business then attracted bigger clients and growth just came with it. We started off with a couple of teams and then went on to more specialised areas with the hauling and civil side of things – which opened up even more opportunity,” Mr Zarafa said.

Four years after starting, Mr Zarafa also added Traffic Control Australia to his repertoire and renamed his business ‘Zarafa Group’ to encompass all facets of the company.

“Due to our expansion we now proudly employ 80 staff,” he said.

Mr Zarafa attributes his success to hard work, attracting good positive people and finding a niche.

“You have to be positive. You can say you’re positive and pretend that you are, but you have to really feel it. When you feel it and surround yourself with good people, you attract more good people. What you put out is what you get back. Treat people the way you like to be treated. Be honest and respectful,” he said.

Mr Bryant added that their staff also contributed to the company’s success.

“As Business Managers we can make decisions to try and make us successful – but really it’s the people in the paddock and on the forefront that will give the company success. We’ve got such a strong bond with our staff. We try to create a winning culture and that has really helped us to be successful,” Mr Bryant said.

Both Mr Bryant and Mr Zarafa thanked ETC for their support.

“ETC have been great – a really good partnership which aligns with our values. They always go over and above to give us what we need. We look forward to growing even further with ETC,” they said.

ETC provides employment and training services on the Gold Coast. If you are looking for staff or are interested in up-skilling give us a call today on 1800 007 400.

ETC is proud to be one of the jobactive providers that has helped place one million job seekers into work since July 2015.