Victorian government to boost jobs for High Capacity Metro Trains

Victoria’s future engineers and skilled tradespeople will play a crucial role in building Melbourne’s 65 next generation High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT), as the Andrews Labor Government puts more young people to work.

Visiting Downer EDI’s Newport Rail Yard today, Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan announced 15 per cent of work on the $2 billion project will be completed by local apprentices, trainees, and engineering cadets.

“We’re giving young people opportunities on some of the state’s biggest projects – giving them valuable experience and setting up a skilled workforce for the future,” Noonan said.

The Labor government said that the previous Liberal Government planned to send train building jobs to South Korea, following in the footsteps of Liberal Governments in New South Wales and Queensland who offshored the building of new trains.

The Labor Government has committed to local jobs and local content the creation of 1,100 high-skilled new jobs as a result of its decision to build HCMTs in Victoria.

“It’s great to come face to face with some of the young people who are bringing the High Capacity Metro Trains Project to life.” — Noonan

The next generation will also get jobs and skills, with the Labor Government’s Major Projects Skills Guarantee set to create 51 job opportunities for apprentices, 40 positions for trainees and five for cadets.

Downer EDI is also commencing a $16 million upgrade to its Newport facilities which will create an additional 50 jobs during construction.

More than 740 apprentices and trainees have been recruited in the first 12 months of the Guarantee – giving young Victorians the chance to shape the state’s major projects and develop skills for the future.

“We’re giving young Victorians opportunities to thrive in the workforce and play a critical role in shaping some of the state’s biggest projects,” Noonan said.

The Guarantee requires contractors on projects worth more than $20 million to ensure at least 10 percent of their workforce is made up of apprentices, trainees, and engineering cadets.

In its first 12 months, the Guarantee has been applied to 15 major government projects worth $5.3 billion. Over time it will be applied to a further 38 major projects worth $28 billion.

Victoria’s record investment in infrastructure is set to create more than 20,000 jobs – including 4,500 jobs for level crossing removals, 4,700 jobs for the Metro Tunnel project and 5,600 on the Western Distributor.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said, “We’re giving young workers and those reskilling a head start in their new careers, while we deliver new trains to carry more people as Victoria grows.”