Bumper turnout at Wangaratta for Inland Rail workforce event

More than forty local businesses attended the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Inland Rail Skills Academy (IRSA) event which aimed to help businesses grow or upskill their staff through apprenticeships and traineeships.

Attendees included local fencing suppliers, accommodation providers, engineering services, quarry operators, TAFE, and jobs, skills and training providers.

They received an overview of the Inland Rail project, an explanation of potential supply opportunities, a snapshot of the local labour market and information about support available from the Australian Government for businesses that take on apprentices and trainees.

Inland Rail is expected to support around 1,100 direct and indirect jobs in Victoria throughout construction and ARTC is focussed on helping businesses prepare their workforce for the opportunities.

The next ARTC IRSA Workforce Development Event will take place in Seymour in the first quarter of 2023.

Ed Walker, ARTC Victoria and South Australia Projects General Manager said:

“We’re delighted with the number and capability of the Wangaratta regional businesses who attended the workforce event.

“These events help us deliver real and lasting opportunities for regional communities.

“While we’re expecting to support direct and indirect supply and job opportunities during construction, we’re also working to prepare communities for other project opportunities by helping to upskill local and First Nations businesses.

“Our workforce development events are just part of Inland Rail’s commitment to communities where Australia’s largest freight project is being built and operated.

“With Inland Rail already delivering business uplift and jobs confidence in communities along the rail corridor, workforce events such as these will help ensure Inland Rail’s positive impacts go beyond the construction period for the project.”