Engineering, Passenger Rail, Workforce, Certification & Training

Funding for 50 jobs for Indigenous workers on level crossing removal project

$550,000 in funding will be provided to help get Aboriginal Australians jobs working on rail level crossing removals across the state, the Victorian government has just announced.

The additional funds will be heading to RAW recruitment, a not-for-profit organisation specialising in securing jobs and training services for Indigenous Victorian, and will enable an extra 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s to find work on the important rail infrastructure project.

Industry and employment minister Wade Noonan joined Labor’s member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos at the Murrumbeena Road level crossing removal site to announce the funding boost as part of NAIDOC week.

“We are very proud to have Aboriginal Victorians playing a key role in removing level crossings and shaping the future of our city,” minister Noonan said.

“RAW Recruitment is an inspirational organisation. This new funding will only further their mission to give Aboriginal Victorians the jobs and training they deserve.”

RAW Recruitment was established in Victoria in 2013 and initially focussed on securing employment for Aboriginal Australians in the construction industry. It has since moved into other states and has expanded its purview to include additional industries.

With the extra $550,000, the organisation has now received over $1.2 million in government funds, and has so far used this support to find employment for 66 Aboriginal Australians in the state.

According to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins, this funding scheme was helping Aboriginal Victorians “realise their potential” in work on major government projects, such as the level crossing removals.

“It’s more than a job – it’s an opportunity to make a contribution to their community and inspire others along the way,” she said.