The state government has announced free infrastructure-related training for up to 250 students, as part of a wider $57 million initiative.
The state government has announced free infrastructure-related training for up to 250 students, as part of a wider $57 million initiative.
The Infrastructure Ready TAFE program includes one free, four-week course that will be held at metropolitan campuses, with places to become available this month and into early 2021.
The course will teach basic measurement and calculation skills relevant to construction and will focus on safe work practices, the state government said.
Students will also learn how to operate small plant and equipment used on construction projects.
Premier Mark McGowan said the free course would include work placements on some of WA’s major projects.
"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,” Mr McGowan said.
Civil Contractors Federation WA chief executive Andy Graham welcomed the move, saying it would help Western Australians find jobs in the “thriving civil construction sector”.
He said members of the civil construction industry and TAFE had collaborated to create the program.
“Everyone is aware of the traditional trade-level jobs in housing and high-rise construction, but there are lots of ‘tradies’ in civil construction too,” Mr Graham said.
“[There are] a wide variety of interesting and well-paid trade-level roles in areas such as plant operations, pipelaying, road and bridge construction, tunnelling, and utilities installation.”
He said the work placement was the first step in connecting participants with potential employers.
“There’s a very strong pipeline of road and rail infrastructure projects to be delivered over the next few years in WA,” Mr Graham said.
“It’s an exciting challenge for our industry, and it’s also a great opportunity for Western Australians who might not have previously considered a career in civil construction.”
Mr Graham said the state government would encourage contractors and subcontractors to provide employment to the program's graduates.
More than $6.5 billion worth of road and rail projects are being carried out across the state, including the $46 million Bellevue railcar facility and $532 million Yanchep rail extension projects.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said ensuring a workforce to deliver WA’s major projects remained 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."
The training program begins later this month for the first round of students, who could be given entry-level jobs with contractors by early next year.
The move forms part of the state government’s $57 million Recovery Skill Sets initiative, of which $25 million has been allocated towards 15 free short courses.
Courses are available for up to 13,500 Western Australians receiving JobSeeker or JobKeeper payments and other concession, as well as to those aged under 25.
Meanwhile, non-eligible students are required to pay a $191 fee.
The remaining $32 million under the Recovery Skill Sets initiative was allocated to a major reduction in TAFE fees.
