Trained workers to be ‘construction ready’

Narrabri Shire mayor Cathy Redding was on site yesterday to see first hand an initiative which aims to train job seekers to be ‘construction ready’ when new employment opportunities come to the area.

Many jobs are anticipated with the arrival of the Inland Rail project and other construction work in the district.

“This is a fantastic initiative,” the mayor said. “Council is working alongside Inland Rail in delivering training opportunities to secure a pool of skilled local workers for coming construction jobs.

“Council has strongly advocated for upskilling and training locally to ensure members of the community are not overlooked for employment opportunities in these exciting construction projects.

“It is wonderful to be partnering with Inland Rail and seeing these training programs commence.

“We are certainly looking forward to running, in partnership with Inland Rail, additional courses in the future.”

The training with heavy equipment is being undertaken at Narrabri Landfill.

It’s a win-win for Narrabri Shire – the heavy plant used in the program is carrying out extensive infrastructure work at the Landfill as well as delivering hands-on experience.

Narrabri Shire Council is partnering with the Inland Rail Skills Academy, Training Services NSW and mining and engineering training specialists LDO Group to deliver the specialised training program, providing an opportunity for 20 local job seekers to gain the necessary tickets and accreditation to work on construction sites including the Inland Rail Narrabri to North Star Project.

The Narrabri to North Star (N2NS) section is one of 13 projects that complete Inland Rail and is an upgrade to approximately 186km of track within the existing rail corridor and construction of approximately 2.3km of a new rail corridor.

Construction is expected to start in late 2020 and will last for approximately three years.

The trainers, LDO Group, specialise in providing training and induction for the mining, civil, construction, manufacturing, rural industry and the local government sector and will provide courses for participants to gain skills in civil construction including how to operate skid steer loaders, excavators, front end loaders and articulated haul trucks.

The program is funded by Training for NSW and the Inland Rail Skills Academy has thrown its support
behind it by funding the machinery hiring costs to the tune of $25,000.

ARTC Inland Rail Chief Executive Officer Richard Wankmuller said Inland Rail is set to not only change the way Australia moves freight between all mainland states; but will act as a catalyst for positive change in many regional communities along the alignment.

“Inland Rail will mean a new economic direction for some of these communities,” Mr Wankmuller said. “A major focus will be on building skills so that people and businesses are ready to take part in this once-in-a-generation project.

“We need to have people ready to undertake the work, businesses ready to bid for the work and regional communities along the alignment will need to capitalise on the opportunities this will bring their future workforces.”