Albury and Wagga Wagga host First Nations forums on jobs and business opportunities

First Nations communities from around Albury and Wagga Wagga had the opportunity recently to chat directly with our project team to learn more about ways to get involved with Inland Rail and discuss upcoming training and employment opportunities with the Albury to lllabo project.

More than 20 people attended both sessions and some positive discussions were held on training and employment opportunities for the community.

As part of the Inland Rail Skills Academy, these sessions presented training opportunities that will be commencing in 2023 to help get First Nations community members ‘rail ready’ for upcoming employment opportunities.

ARTC Inland Rail First Nations Engagement Advisor, Natalie Mogg says these information sessions are important to help encourage First Nations communities to capitalise on the employment and new business opportunities Inland Rail can help unlock.

“We have a great track record of providing First Nations communities with sustainable opportunities to improve their lives by focussing on targeted workforce and business development initiatives that deliver real job outcomes,” Natalie says.

“On the Parkes to Narromine project, for example, more than 300 First Nations people were employed and more than $14.1m was spent with First Nations businesses.

“More recently, more than 328 First Nations people have been employed on the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project and $15.2m spent with First Nations businesses.”

IMAGE: Our Albury First Nations information session in early December was well attended