In what’s said to be an Australian first, virtual training will be used at the Victorian Tunnelling Centre (VTC) to give Big Build North East Link workers below-ground tunnel experience.
Tunnelling is now complete on the Metro Tunnel, the West Gate Tunnel project is nearing completion and with attention shifting to the North East Link project, the VTC will play a key role in its progress.
The VTC at Holmesglen Institute in Chadstone features life-sized replicas of mined and bored tunnels and a massive tunnel boring machine cutterhead. It will prepare the thousands of workers needed to build the 6.5-kilometre North East Link Tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen, providing them a simulated experience of operating and staying safe below-ground.
Victoria’s Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said it’s these types of training programs that are preparing the next generation of Big Build workers and opening the door to thousands of job opportunities on the state’s construction projects.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews added: “The North East Link is more than just Victoria’s biggest road project – it’s an investment in communities in Melbourne’s north east, getting trucks off local roads, slashing travel times and improving community facilities.”
Related stories:
- Victoria’s Big Build ramps up over summer
- Skills centre links job seekers with Victoria’s Big Build
- Victoria’s Big Build works to continue under Stage 4 restrictions
The facility is reportedly the only one of its kind in Australia and is upskilling the pipeline of tunnelling workers needed to deliver the North East Link, Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel and Suburban Rail Loop East projects, creating around 31,000 local construction jobs combined.
More than 4,200 North East Link workers including tunnelling specialists and construction workers have already completed the training.
The Victorian Government’s skills and training programs are continuing to support the delivery of the Big Build. More than six million hours have been clocked up by apprentices, trainees and cadets on Big Build projects since 2018 thanks to the state’s Major Projects Skills Guarantee.
The North East Link tunnels and freeway upgrades will be complete in 2028, reducing travel times by up to 35 minutes, and taking approximately 15,000 trucks off local roads.