Geoff Richards Panel Beating in Dubbo, NSW is a three time winner of the Country shop of the year in the bodyshop awards. There are a myriad of reasons they have won so many awards and one of them is because the team is so dedicated to the industry. Third generation Lewis Richards has been holding workshop walkthroughs with young aboriginal women (years10-12) in the NASCA (National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy) program from all around NSW from Brewarrina to Wellington to Coonamble with other sites currently booked.
The NASCA Program is like a post school planning for young aboriginal women to help them get into jobs and also shows them a broader view of what is around in terms of employment and further studies.
Richards said: "In the walk through I get three A4 aluminium sheets made up and take the groups into the booths and we paint aboriginal art with spray guns together to let the girls get creative and get a feel for our industry. The girls, who have never had a thought about working in the collision repair industry, absolutely love it. We have actually had some who have reached out and will be doing work experience with us through these upcoming holidays."
The business also runs a similar program for Clontarf Boys which is a similar academy to the NASCA girls.