Ipswich businesses keen to hop ‘on board’ with Inland Rail
Interest in Inland Rail in Ipswich is on the rise following the successful Workforce Development Events held in the city on Thursday night.
Nearly fifty people attended the North Ipswich Reserve Corporate Centre to explore the opportunities Inland Rail may bring to the area, with local employment services providers, high schools, apprenticeship support agencies and the Australian Government all taking part in the event.
Inland Rail, which will be delivered by ARTC, is expected to support 11,800 direct and indirect jobs in Queensland at the peak of construction, and the Workforce Development Events are focussed on helping businesses grow their workforce ahead of the project.
Attendees were given an overview of the project and typical supply opportunities, a snapshot of the local labour market and information on support available for businesses that take on apprentices and trainees.
ARTC Inland Rail Health, Safety and Environment Director Steve Jones said:
“Inland Rail is about delivering real and lasting opportunities for regional communities.
“While we’re expecting to generate direct and indirect jobs during construction, we’re also working to prepare communities for other project opportunities by helping to upskill the local workforce.
“The event proved to be a great opportunity for local businesses to meet with employment service providers and other stakeholders in the region to make connections and grow their workforce.
“The Inland Rail Skills Academy is focusing on building the skills needed for the next generation of rail workers, many of which will be based in regional communities ensuring the operation and maintenance of our new networks as they come online.”
IMAGES: (above) Inland Rail Indigenous Participation Advisor Jane Bulsey and Social Inland Rail Rail Academy Principal Lead Jane Roberts at Ipswich workforce development event; (below) more than 40 interested businesses attended the Inland Rail workforce development event at the North Ipswich Reserve Corporate Centre on Thursday night.
