Inland Rail to hold Workforce Development Event in Gatton

The Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) Inland Rail Skills Academy (IRSA) is holding a Workforce Development Event on Thursday 15th September from 4pm to 6pm at the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, 34 Lake Apex, Gatton, engaging with local businesses to help develop its future work force.

Two Inland Rail staff stand aside of an Inland Rail Skills Academy banner

The Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) Inland Rail Skills Academy (IRSA) is holding a Workforce Development Event on Thursday 15th September from 4pm to 6pm at the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, 34 Lake Apex, Gatton, engaging with local businesses to help develop its future work force.

Businesses attending the workshops will be given 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 11,800 direct and indirect jobs in Queensland throughout construction and is focussed on helping businesses grow their workforce ahead of the project.

A pilot event to help business understand and act on project opportunities and future workforce needs was held in Goondiwindi earlier this year attracting 62 attendees from local employment services providers, high schools, apprenticeship support agencies and the Australian Government.

Further Workforce Development Events are planned in Ipswich, Beaudesert, and Toowoomba in the coming weeks.

Steve Jones, ARTC Inland Rail Health, Safety and Environment Director 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 is 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.”

For more information about these Workforce Development Events please visit the event webpage.

IMAGE: Australian Rail Track Corporation Inland Rail Social Performance Advisor Elysha Loiterton and Indigenous Participation Advisor Ashley Williams welcome participants to a workforce development workshop in Goondiwindi earlier this year.