The Western Australian Government has launched a new training program to increase opportunities for Jobseekers in construction.
Eligible participants for the Infrastructure Ready TAFE program will take part in a free four-week intensive training course at TAFE campuses across Perth.
They will get an inside look at some of WA’s key construction projects, including METRONET, the Armadale to North Lake Road Bridge Project and the Roe Highway/Kalamunda Road Interchange Project.
The program aims to increase industry diversity, with young and female jobseekers encouraged to apply.
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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.
It is also an opportunity for mature age jobseekers recently displaced from other industries to enter the civil construction industry, which will be enjoying a sustained pipeline of work on fully-funded projects over coming years.
It aims to provide opportunities for mature age jobseekers recently displaced from other industries to enter the civil construction industry.
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.
Training will begin in late October, with the first round of participants given the opportunity to gain entry level prospects with contractors from the civil construction industry by early 2021.
The program is part of a wider initiative designed to drive the sustainability of the civil construction industry by developing an ongoing pool of entry-level workers.
Contractors 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.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the Government’s number one priority is Western Australian Jobs and supporting industry in ways that creates a pipeline of jobs, builds 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.”
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said the program will provide a launch pad for job seekers to get skills ready for new jobs and provide pathways to full qualifications.
“This training program has been developed in consultation with industry to engage displaced workers, including young people and mature age workers to meet immediate and emerging skills requirements as the economy recovers from the pandemic,” she said.