Richard Wesley's life changed three years ago when he was offered a job in the construction industry in Darwin.
After leaving Don Dale Youth Detention Centre he was connected with his now employer - Rusca Developments - through their employment program.
"They had a program set up for kids going in and out of the system and my youth worker thought we'd come out and check it out," he said.
"It means a lot, it's practically my life now because I want to become a tradesman and be qualified and take on my own work."
While Mr Wesley is well on his way to completing his apprenticeship, concerns have been raised about a territory government proposal which would require some builders to hold higher qualifications before they can be registered.
At the moment, apprentices study a Certificate IV in Building and Construction.
But under a proposal, outlined in a discussion paper by the NT Government last week, some commercial building contractors would only become registered after they complete a Diploma of Building and Construction.
Government to work with industry on proposals
Rusca Developments Director, Jason Jones, said he believed the extra qualification was a step further than the industry needed.
"To become a builder ... you don't just have an apprenticeship to do that, currently you have to have a Certificate IV [in building and construction]," he said.
"Having someone who has had a short amount of experience [but more study] to then come out and become a registered builder I think is going beyond where we need to be.
While Mr Jones said while he did not believe the extra qualification was needed, he said there needed to be a balance.
"Experience is everything… but there has to be some level of education to understand all facets of becoming a builder," he said.
"It's not just the physical aspects of it, there are contractual obligations which a Certificate IV provides."
Remote Housing Minister Chansey Paech said he would work with stakeholders on the registration proposal.
"I certainly have taken notice of the conversations that have been had this morning," he said.
"I am very confident in the level of skills and that training that is provided here in the Northern Territory."
The NT Government on Monday said it was escalating the rollout of its remote housing program, with $177 million worth of tenders to be awarded in the coming weeks.
Mr Paech said tenders would soon be awarded for the Central Australian communities of Yuendumu, Yuelamu, Laramba, Nyirripi, and Hermannsburg.
"The Territory Labor Government's remote housing program is about building better homes, alleviating overcrowding, and improving liveability," he said.
Mr Wesley said he hoped people without diplomas would still be given the opportunity to get into the industry.
"There are a heap of lads who wouldn't even know if this life's for them until they come have a crack," he said.
"I want to take it all the way now, and if you didn't have that there would be a lot of people missing out."
Editor's Note: On 28 March 2022, an earlier version of this story inaccurately described the Diploma of Building and Construction as only available at universities.
