ONE local building company has been taken on board to work on the Australian Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) program, which has presented the prospect of a local jobs boom in the construction industry.

Building the Education Revolution is a $14.7 billion project to improve the quality of facilities Australia’s 9,540 schools.

Nowra’s Pearce and Percy Constructions will be working with BER managing contractor for the Illawarra and South Coast, Richard Crookes Constructions, on schools throughout the Shoalhaven.

Ron Pearce from Pearce and Percy and his team put in a large effort to win the tender.

The company gained accreditation through the Department of Commerce to work on State Government projects worth up to $1 million.

It was also accredited to work on federally funded projects.

“If you want to get buried in paperwork apply for an accreditation to do construction work for the government,” Mr Pearce said.

That paperwork effort was well worthwhile with Mr Pearce expecting the contract to secure employment for his current staff of about 15 and possibly lead to the need for more.

“In quiet times, this project is guaranteeing work for up to 18 months which is great,” he said.

The company uses local subcontractors for trade work including electrical, plastering and plumbing, so there could be flow on work for more local tradesmen.

Pearce and Percy is currently working on fitting out the new Campbell Page offices in the Office Works building in Nowra.

It has also worked on the Roxy Cinema extensions, the Ray White building in Nowra and the Anglican school at Shellharbour.