An expo-style road show will visit a number of New South Wales communities next week to encourage Aboriginal participation in the 155km Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade.
Roads and Maritime Services said the road show will target Ballina, Lismore, Casino, Maclean and Grafton and give Aboriginal people and businesses the ability to speak directly with project staff, contractors, labour hire companies, training organisations and job agencies to discuss employment opportunities on the upgrade.
“The road show will help provide clear information on pathways to gain employment on the project, facilitate networking opportunities by linking locals to major employers and connect new or unskilled job seekers with training and education providers,” RMS said.
“More than $4.4 million has been spent on Aboriginal employment to date, with around 140 Aboriginal people employed on the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade.
“This number is expected to significantly increase as work ramps up next year, with all main civil and bridge contracts now awarded on the project.
“The scale and scope of this $4.36 billion upgrade presents a great opportunity to upskill and boost employment opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses in regional NSW.
“On a project as large as the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade, there are a wide variety of work opportunities for Aboriginal people including trade specific work, engineering, fencing, truck driving, labouring, machinery operation, traffic control, administration and community engagement.
“Anybody interested in discussing opportunities available on the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade is encouraged to attend one of the five information sessions.”