The Western Australian Government has launched a new infrastructure construction training program for jobseekers. The program will offer 250 places progressively, available in late 2020 and early 2021.
The program is a four week intensive TAFE course developed in conjunction with the industry called Infrastructure Ready TAFE.
Eligible participants will take part in four weeks of training at TAFE campuses while gaining an inside look to some of Western Australia’s major infrastructure projects including:
- METRONET Bellevue Railcar facility;
- METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension;
- METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link;
- METRONET Denny Avenue Level Rail Crossing Removal;
- Armadale to North Lake Road Bridge Project;
- Karel Avenue Upgrade Project;
- High Street Fremantle Upgrade Project; and
- Roe Highway/Kalamunda Road Interchange Project.
Young and female jobseekers are encouraged to apply as the program aims to increase industry diversity.
The course forms part of the Recovery Skill Sets initiative, which is free for those people on JobSeeker/JobKeeper payments, or are concession-eligible or aged under 25. Non-eligible participants will need to pay a $191 fee.
Mature jobseekers are also encouraged to apply. The government is urging those displaced from other industries to enter civil construction which it says will enjoy a sustained pipeline of work over the coming years.
The Infrastructure Ready Skill Set will teach basic measurement and calculation skills relevant to construction and focus on safe work practices. Participants will also learn skills to operate small plant and equipment used on construction projects.
The training program will begin in late October with the first round of ‘job-ready’ participants given the opportunity to gain entry-level prospects with contractors from the civil construction industry by early 2021 and is supported by a four week TAFE course.
Contractors involved will be provided with incentives to employ and retain program participants.
Key industry partners include the Civil Contractors Federation, the Construction Contractors Association and the Construction Training Fund.
Premier Mark McGowan said his government’s number one priority has always been Western Australian jobs and supporting industry in ways that creates a pipeline of jobs, helps build better infrastructure and boosts the local economy.
“This free course combines training opportunities and jobs on major transport infrastructure projects which is critical as we recover from the impacts of COVID-19,” he said.
“Participants will gain firsthand experience on this unique course that will put them in good stead for work on our major infrastructure projects and for future employment opportunities.”
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said we are delivering more than $6.5 billion worth of road and rail projects across all corners of the State – ensuring we have the workforce to deliver this pipeline of work is a key priority.
“We are working closely with industry to ensure the skills and training available to those taking part provides the best opportunities for development and entry into the civil construction industry,” she said.
“This new training will deliver job-ready workers to meet the immediate needs of Western Australia’s multi-billion-dollar civil construction industry.”
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