Training hub coup for Gordon
A $1.9 million education investment will transform Geelong into the state’s civil construction training hub.
The new State Government-funded Civil Skills Cadetship Pilot Program will see 120 cadets trained for careers in building and construction at The Gordon.
The program, announced yesterday by Geelong MP Christine Couzens, was developed by the Civil Contractors Federation (Victoria) in partnership with the local TAFE.
The program will be run in four distinct stages and integrate national units of competency required by the industry.
CCF chief executive officer John Kilgour said huge government and corporate investment in infrastructure — like roads and transport — had put a strain on the ageing industry.
“Attracting and retaining the next generation of civil contractors is now critically needed to meet the unprecedented level of major infrastructure work that will drive our long-term social and economic growth in this state,” Mr Kilgour said.
A recent industry report found 17 per cent of the civil construction workforce would retire over the next 10 years, while the industry as a whole has a 55 per cent attrition rate.
Mr Kilgour said CCF had worked with the Gordon and State Government for close to two years to develop ways to expand training and skills opportunities to regional centres like Geelong.
“We are targeting vulnerable sectors and disadvantaged areas that are transitioning from traditional manufacturing,” Mr Kilgour said.
Potential cadets will be vetted before they are enrolled to ensure they are suited to the career. Successful applicants will receive industry and educational support and training throughout the two-year program.
Cadets will participate in three work placements on infrastructure projects, and undertake an apprenticeship as part of the Certificate III in Civil Construction at The Gordon.
The Gordon’s CEO Lise Line said the pilot program would help Geelong meet growing demand for a skilled workforce entering the construction industry.
“We know construction is a key economic driver for the booming Geelong and Wyndham regions and we see this growth across both residential and commercial developments, and public infrastructure projects,” Ms Line said.
“It has been a productive partnership working in collaboration with the CCF to meet community needs.”
Ms Couzens said the Government was committed to upskilling workers to meet industry demand.
“We’re proud to be investing in training that ensures we have the skilled workers Victoria needs to build our major infrastructure projects,” she said. “The Gordon’s Civil Skills Cadetship Program is yet another example of the work we’re doing to strengthen partnerships between industry and training both in Geelong and around the state.”