Civik breaks ground in Townsville, increasing opportunities for local employment

A month into operations at our new Townsville site, the Civik team is staying true to its mission to create meaningful employment opportunities while delivering high-quality infrastructure services across North Queensland. 

Civik officially broke ground in Townsville in September, and has built a team of 10 field staff, comprising a mix of seasoned professionals and individuals facing employment barriers. 

Beau Vernon, a Townsville local with 15 years of experience in the civil construction industry specialising in telecommunications, has been appointed as the new Supervisor. He brings a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the local landscape.  

“We are excited to establish our presence in Townsville and leverage the local talent pool to make a real difference,” Beau said.  

“We broke ground last month and we're excited to start creating job opportunities that will empower individuals and strengthen the community.” 

Since first launching in Cairns in 2023, Civik has gained recognition for its innovative approach, addressing workforce shortages in regional areas and creating opportunities for young people who have faced barriers in the mainstream job market. 

The social enterprise is excited to move its impactful model to Townsville as part of a broader consolidation effort. 

Civik’s CEO, Chris Fortnam, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to training and employing young people from underserved communities. 

“Our focus is on equipping individuals with the skills and confidence needed for careers in construction, engineering, and telecommunications,” Chris stated.  

“We see Townsville as a critical part of Civik’s future. Keeping true to our value of creating local jobs for local people, Civik has planted roots in Townsville already having employed 10 locals with the intent to provide dozens more opportunities to people who face barriers to employment." 

As a trusted subcontractor to Tier One contractors like Ventia, Civik delivers projects on time with precision and reliability. The organisation’s strengths-based recruitment approach and focus on social impact are key drivers of its success, making Civik a leading force in the industry.  

Civik’s partnership with Ventia has been recognised with two awards:  the 2024 ACOMM Award for Diversity and Inclusion and the Diversity & Inclusion Project of the Year award at The Faculty Awards of Excellence. 

With the launch in Townsville, Civik is set to make a lasting impact by creating job opportunities, fostering community growth, and contributing to the region’s infrastructure development.  

Civik’s operations in North Queensland are just the beginning, with plans to expand into other states in the near future.