Western Sydney Airport skills exchange announced

A partnership with TAFE New South Wales will provide training opportunities for construction workers building the Western Sydney International Airport.

Under the Western Sydney City Deal, the TAFE Skills Exchange will be established at the airport construction site to provide on the job-training.

Up to 250 workers each year will be equipped with training in areas including earthmoving, civil construction, safety and traffic control with the potential for growth as the project progresses.

Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge, said the announcement will benefit hundreds of people who are already working on the airport’s delivery.

“This incredible initiative will provide construction workers with a great opportunity to enhance their skills on the job,” Mr. Tudge said.

He says it will give people a chance to up-skill on the job and learn from the delivery of the project.

NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said the exchange is the first step in delivering on an important commitment for the Western Sydney City Deal.

“The Skills Exchange will support the growth of the Aerotropolis and Western Parkland City by providing valuable skills and training to local workers who are part of the delivery of the transformative Western Sydney International Airport,” he said.

NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee, said the Western Sydney International target of 20 per cent learning workers, combined with the skills exchange initiative, would provide opportunities for workers looking to develop their construction careers.

“This skills exchange provides these learning workers employed in the delivery of Western Sydney’s airport an important opportunity to diversify their skills and develop their careers,” Dr. Lee said.

Construction of the airport began on 24 September 2018 and it is expected to open in 2026.