TAFE New South Wales has partnered with the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, providing training opportunities for construction workers building the project.
A commitment under the Western Sydney City Deal, the TAFE Skills Exchange will be established at the airport construction site, providing on-the-job training as the airport takes shape.
Up to 250 workers a year will be equipped with skills in areas including earthmoving, civil construction, safety and traffic control, with the potential to increase numbers as the construction project grows.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge, said that this will benefit hundreds of people who are already working on the airport’s delivery.
“This incredible initiative will provide construction workers with a great opportunity to enhance their skills on the job,” Mr Tudge said.
“Western Sydney International is a unique project and one of the largest civil engineering projects underway in Australia.
“It is important that it provides the chance for people to skill-up while on the job and learn from the delivery of this important project.”
NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said the opening of the Western Sydney Airport TAFE NSW Skills Exchange is the first step in delivering on an important commitment of the Western Sydney City Deal.
“A TAFE NSW Skills Exchange is a key commitment of the Western Sydney City Deal, which we are getting on with delivering.
“The Skills Exchange will support the growth of the Aerotropolis and Western Parkland City by providing valuable skills and training to local workers who are part of the delivery of the transformative Western Sydney International Airport.”
Senator for New South Wales, Marise Payne, said the delivery of the airport involves multiple construction phases which requires a workforce which can adapt to the demands of the mammoth project.
“The skills exchange program will help ensure that skills keep pace beyond the earthworks phase, which will include the construction of the 3.7km runway and an on-airport business park.
“The airport is our region’s very own Snowy Hydro and this initiative is yet another important step towards supporting our local western Sydney workforce.
NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Dr Geoff Lee, said that Western Sydney International target of 20 per cent learning workers, combined with the skills exchange initiative, would provide opportunities for workers looking to develop their construction careers.
“This skills exchange provides these learning workers employed in the delivery of Western Sydney’s airport an important opportunity to diversify their skills and develop their careers,” Dr Lee said.
“Initially, this facility will see up to 250 workers a year equipped with skills in areas including earthmoving, civil construction, safety and traffic control, with the potential to increase numbers as the construction project grows.”
Construction of Western Sydney International commenced on 24 September 2018 and the airport is on track to open in 2026.