Twenty-seven First Nations students from Clontarf academies in Wagga Wagga and Albury in New South Wales have completed a White Card training course to build their practical work skills and awareness, thanks to the Inland Rail Skills Academy.
White Card training courses were held this month for students from Kooringal, Mt Austin, Tumut, and Albury Clontarf academies, in partnership with TAFE NSW.
A White Card certification is essential for work in the construction industry, this training will allow students to gain valuable skills on the path to employment or obtaining apprenticeships.
The academies can also take part in ‘Working at Heights’ and ‘Confined Spaces’ courses scheduled for October, to help students progress with their training and encourage them to further their civil construction studies.
Inland Rail in partnership with the Clontarf Foundation supports the education, training, and employment of Indigenous youth in communities along the Inland Rail alignment.
Inland Rail health, safety and environment director Stephen Jones said the students were thrilled to undertake industry specific training before finishing school, in the hope of gaining employment in the construction industry, or even on Inland Rail after their school years.
“Inland Rail supports the Clontarf Foundation’s goal of improving the education, life skills, self-esteem, and employment prospects of our First Nations youth, and together, through the Inland Rail Skills Academy, we are providing structure and daily support for First Nations youth in schools across Australia,” he said.
“‘We are committed to playing our part in upskilling the nation and ensuring that different groups of people are given the opportunity to help build Inland Rail.”
For more information, visit Inland Rail’s Education and Scholarships page.
