The next generation of skilled local workers in Victoria are being given the opportunity to kick-start their jobs and pick up crucial industry skills on high-value projects.
Visiting workers on the Keon Parade level crossing removal project in Thomastown, industry and innovation minister Ben Carroll announced 15 million hours of work had been done since 2016 by local apprentices, trainees and cadets under the State Government’s Major Projects Skills Guarantee.
The initiative is helping provide vital work experience for young Victorians by requiring at least 10 per cent of the work carried out on the state’s construction projects valued at more than $20 million to be undertaken by apprentices, trainees or cadets.
Under the guarantee, major projects like the Melbourne Park redevelopment and Barwon Health North Healthcare Facility in Geelong have provided training opportunities for employees at local companies.
Stage 3 of the Melbourne Park Redevelopment project saw 40 apprentices working on the project in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, steel fabrication and electrical works.
The Major Projects Skills Guarantee is part of the Government’s Local Jobs First policy, which gives small and medium-sized businesses more opportunities to compete for both large and small government contracts.
More than $130 billion worth of projects and over 45,000 local jobs have been supported through the initiative since 2014.
Other initiatives introduced by the Government to promote local, secure jobs and support socially responsible businesses include the Fair Jobs Code and the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee.
“As we deliver the biggest infrastructure pipeline in the state’s history, we’re using our purchasing power to secure thousands of local jobs, while delivering social and economic benefits for Victorians across the state,” Carroll said.
“This is a significant milestone and a wonderful achievement for local industry as we drive economic recovery and give Victorian workers more opportunities to gain experience and jobs on major high value public projects.”
