Skills Hub To Deliver South Coast and Illawarra Jobs

Local skilled workers, apprentices and trainees now have a greater opportunity to gain employment in the South Coast region as part of the Berry to Bomaderry Princes Highway upgrade. 

As part of the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Skill Legacy Plan (ISLP), the Skills Training Hub was today opened by Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey, Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward and Member for the South Coast, Shelley Hancock.

Minister Pavey said the Bomaderry Training Hub is one of four hubs being delivered alongside Roads and Maritime major roads projects and will focus on providing training and employment pathways to those currently under represented in the building and construction sector, including women, young people and Indigenous Australians.

“The Berry to Bomaderry Princes Highway upgrade is another initiative that will extend the benefits of the bricks and mortar by expanding the pool of skilled workers, delivering more jobs to the South Coast region,” Mrs Pavey said.

KEY POINTS:

• ISLP is part of the Liberals & Nationals Government $87.2 billion investment in major infrastructure programs across the state
• The Training Hub can accommodate around 40 students
• Programs include the Certificate II in Civil Construction for Trainees, Certificates II, III and IV for Leading Hands and Supervisors, and short accredited course in the building and construction sector
• The Training Hub is one of four hubs being delivered alongside Roads and Maritime major road projects.
• 245 new job opportunities for skilled but unqualified workers are being created across these four hubs and internally in Roads and Maritime. 

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward MP said that the Berry to Bomaderry was just the start, with future hubs on the South Coast being planned for the Albion Park Rail bypass and the Nowra Bridge project.

“One of the reasons I stood for Parliament was the fix the Princes Highway – but the benefits of these upgrades aren’t just about travel times and road safety Skills hubs will provide locals with a great opportunity to supercharge their skills, making them more competitive in the building and construction sector. Not only are these record investments in our infrastructure changing lives, we are also ensuring that local people can be part of delivering these massive infrastructure projects.” Mr Ward said.

Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock MP said that the hub will be available throughout the duration of the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade.

“Workers from the South Coast region will now have access to first class education and training opportunities which will benefit the local community for years to come,” Mrs Hancock said.