Indigenous trainees building skills on Mein Deviation

Seven Indigenous trainees are building skillsets, gaining valuable working experience and learning about civil construction on the Peninsula Developmental Road construction project.

Engaged by contractor Civil Mining and Construction Pty Ltd through training provider My Pathways, the Indigenous trainees are working on the $29.5 million Mein Deviation upgrade and seal project, north of Coen.

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the group of mainly Cape York residents was studying Certificate III in Civil Construction as trainees assisting with construction works under the contract.

“The trainees are gaining valuable on-the-job training on this project, supported by textbook learning to help make them job-ready for the civil construction industry,” Mr Bailey said.

“Opportunities like this are few and far between in remote locations so it’s vital we can create training, employment and business opportunities for Indigenous people through this important road upgrading project.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to improving Indigenous training, employment and business opportunities.

“These opportunities for Indigenous people will be the focus of three more projects currently underway on the road at Sourayas Hill, south of Morehead River and south of Hann.”

Transport and Main Roads Director-General Neil Scales said TMR was actively building employment capability on Cape York and strengthening local communities through the program of works.

“We made sure the Mein Deviation contract incorporated Indigenous and non-Indigenous training and upskilling, implementation of an Indigenous economic opportunities plan and a local industry participation plan,” Mr Scales said.

“The contractor has made significant commitments in the areas of Indigenous employment and training. It is engaging local businesses for the provision of various services that are over and above minimum targets set out in state policy.”

The contractor has engaged six Indigenous companies in stand-alone or joint venture arrangements, while using 11 companies local to the Cape region for accommodation, plant hire, traffic control, administrative services and consumables.

The projects are part of the Cape York Region Package, a $260.5 million program of works jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments to upgrade critical infrastructure on Cape York.

ENDS

Media Contacts:        Alex Chamberlain – 3719 7316, 0406 544 142