Passion for Spotlighting Irrigation Career Paths Recognised

Jacob Tierney’s commitment to empowering young people and promoting career path opportunities has been recognised by the Beacon Foundation.

Beacon Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that works with schools and industry delivering career readiness programs and services for young Australians.

Jacob received a Beacon Volunteer Ambassador Award, which acknowledges dedicated volunteers who embody Beacon’s values through their ongoing involvement, enthusiasm, mentorship and outstanding commitment to young people.

Jacob is the Project Manager of the Northern Midlands - Tasmanian Irrigation Scheme, and has hosted multiple student visits to the project site to get a firsthand understanding of what work looks like on an active construction project.

Beacon’s Kathy Fisher said Jacob is always eager to help and is deeply passionate about supporting students as they build their futures.

“He has a remarkable talent for organising engaging site tours that allow students to explore a wide range of career pathways — from environmental science and engineering to excavator operation,” she said.

“Jacob is already developing exciting plans for 2026, aiming to further connect students with the world of work through Tasmanian Irrigation and its partners across the state. 

“Thank you, Jacob, for your patience, dedication and unwavering commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people.” 

Jacob said he is honoured to be recognised through the Beacon Volunteer Ambassador Award.

“It’s a privilege to be able to inspire students into long-term career prospects through practical on-site visits and discussions,” he said.

“There’s nothing more satisfying than meeting a young Tasmanian who has no idea what they want to do when they finish school, give them a tour of our project sites, introduce them to skilled workers, enable them to have direct conversations and then hear the student share their proposed new career direction – whether a bulldozer driver, a project manager or an engineer.”

Tasmanian Irrigation recently hosted 16 students from Bothwell and Campbell Town high schools at the Poatina Buffer Dam, showcasing career opportunities in the civil engineering and construction field. The 650-megalitre dam has just been completed as part of Tasmanian Irrigation’s Northern Midlands Irrigation Scheme.

The students met with engineers, project managers, machinery operators and construction supervisors, and took part in hands on activities - learning first-hand about career pathways and job opportunities on large-scale irrigation projects.

The on-site educational opportunity was part of a collaboration between Tasmanian Irrigation, contractor Hazell Bros and the Beacon Foundation, supporting young people to have the aspiration, motivation and ability to determine their working future.