- Published:
- Saturday 2 September 2017
The Andrews Labor Government has created more than 1,500 opportunities for apprentices, trainees and cadets to help shape Victoria’s biggest projects and give them the skills they need to build their careers.
Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan today inspected construction works at the Metro Tunnel site in A’Beckett Street and met young engineering cadets who are bringing the project to life.
Crews at the A’Beckett Street site are digging 11 storeys below ground to construct a new underground station at CBD North.
The Metro Tunnel is the largest public transport project in Victoria’s history and will create nearly 7,000 jobs for Victorians – including at least 500 apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets working as part of the Tunnels and Stations package.
The project has already found jobs for 52 apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets who have completed around 50,000 labour hours since September last year.
Young people are getting a start on our biggest projects thanks to the Labor Government’s Major Projects Skills Guarantee.
The guarantee requires contractors on projects worth more than $20 million to use local apprentices, trainees or engineering cadets for at least 10 per cent of total labour hours.
It’s already been applied to 30 major government projects worth more than $14 billion. A further 56 projects valued at nearly $26 billion will be applying the guarantee over the next two years.
The Government is getting on with the job of building the projects that Victoria needs, creating and protecting jobs, and giving young people the opportunities they deserve.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan
“Young people deserve a start, and that’s exactly what major projects like the Metro Tunnel are giving them.”
“Thanks to the Major Projects Skills Guarantee, we’ve helped more than 1,500 apprentices, trainees and cadets on the path to a successful career.”
“We are giving young people the experience and training they need, while we build the infrastructure Victoria needs.”