New workforce criteria announced for NSW Major Projects

The NSW Government will take steps to make sure the recent infrastructure boom will translate into new job opportunities for NSW’s young workers.

Recently the NSW government has seen a great return on their $73 billion infrastructure program that is helping to deliver major projects.

Premier Mike Baird, Minister for Transport described the investment as a “once-in-a-generation infrastructure and jobs boom as we deliver the rail, roads, schools and hospitals our state needs.”

The Government is aiming to make sure the benefits of the projects are long term, with strict criteria set to be introduced as to the makeup of the work force that will deliver major projects in Sydney, such as the Sydney Metro.

The breakdown is as such;

Minimum targets for major projects include:

• 20% of the project’s labour force to be ‘learning workers’;
• 20% of all trade related roles to be filled by apprentices;
• The number of women in trade related work to be increased to 2% of the total work force, which would be double what the amount of women as there is now
• 1.5% of the total contract value to support Aboriginal participation; and
• 8% of the total project workforce to be under 25 years of age.

Minister for Skills John Barilaro spoke of some of the opportunities available currently, stating “This year alone the NSW Government can subsidise 550,000 vocational training places, including in key building, construction and civil courses.”

“These firm employment and training targets will allow existing workers to learn new skills and significantly increase the representation of young people, women and indigenous people in the construction industry,”

If you would like to view any more information, please visit: http://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/

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