The 16-week pilot program, a first for Australia, caters specifically to migrants and refugees unable to integrate into workplaces due to lack of skills and a poor command of English.

The course is attracting people keen to fill the need for workers in the buoyant housing market of Melbourne's west.

Altona North resident Faluku Kengo, 30, from Liberia, and Sunshine resident Thang Bawi, 22, from Burma, took part and heaped praise on the initiative and teachers, who, they said, had helped turn their lives around.

"I'm so happy that I did the course because now I have a real future. It has given me the confidence to get a good job so I can support my family," Mr Kengo said.

"It was good to be able to go to school so close to where I live and the teachers here - Murray Millar and Derek Walter - have been fantastic."

Mr Bawi echoed Mr Kengo's sentiments. "My future is secure and, thanks to these men, I have a career to look forward to."

Mr Millar said he could never have imagined how successful the course would be.

"I was asked to attend a conference in July and spoke about how we could help interested people and open the door to the trades we offer at Victoria University. I made it clear that at [VU] we try to help the students not only to lay bricks but help them with construction site lingo, which can be difficult to comprehend, particularly if English is not their first language."

Mr Millar said he and Mr Walter had been overwhelmed by the skills their charges had displayed and how quickly they learned.

"We only have to demonstrate aspects of building once; they take everything we teach them on board and listen carefully to our instructions."

Interest from future employers has staff and students buzzing with anticipation. "Construction and building companies' bosses are starting to catch on as to how good these blokes are," Mr Millar said.

"It means a great deal to me personally to see these young men, who in some cases have had shocking lives, thrive in this environment."