A one-week training course provides NSW humanitarian refugees with certification to operate loaders and excavators
The New South Wales government has provided 16 humanitarian refugees with a one-week training course on how to operate construction machinery.
Aiming to address construction skills shortages, the one-week Refugee Employment Pathways Program in Coffs Harbour provides certification to operate front end loaders and excavators; helping humanitarian refugees explore apprenticeship opportunities and employers gain skilled workers.
In collaboration with TAFE NSW, participants were given hands-on training to enable them to work in the civil construction industry.
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“This program has allowed these participants to develop the skills and knowledge they need to work in the civil construction industry and apply for jobs in a booming skills area, helping to address the critical skill shortages,” minister for skills, TAFE and tertiary education Steve Whan says.
“I’m proud of the progress these participants have made throughout the program and I’m confident they will be able to apply these skills and knowledge to future roles in the civil construction industry.”
Refugee Employment Pathways Program is organised by Purpose & Growth, an organisation that brings together government and community support groups, to provide relevant training for local refugees and address skills gaps.
Employment in the construction industry is set to grow by 12 per cent in the decade to 2034, according to the federal government, and this program provides a timely and valuable pathway into the industry.
This initiative will help build a pipeline of skilled workers to support the local civil construction industry, including one of NSW’s largest infrastructure projects, the Coffs Harbour Bypass, the state government says.