Cross River Rail will deliver 450 jobs for young Queenslanders

Published Wednesday, 13 June, 2018 at 10:17 AM

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad today announced the Cross River Rail Project would generate 450 new apprenticeships and traineeships for young Queenslanders during the construction life of the $5.4 billion project.  

Ms Trad said the Palaszczuk Government was investing $733 million in Queensland’s number one infrastructure priority in the 2018/19 State Budget.

“Cross River Rail is a once-in-a-generation project that will change Brisbane and South-East Queensland forever, enabling a turn-up-and-go public transport system and easing pressure on our road network,” Ms Trad said.

“The project will unlock the bottleneck at the heart of the rail network and today I’m proud to announce it will also unlock new career pathways for hundreds of young Queenslanders.

“I’m thrilled that 450 young people will directly benefit from this project by securing an apprenticeship or traineeship connected to the Project’s construction.

“That means hundreds of opportunities for aspiring builders, electricians, welders and high-tech trades like signalling, telecommunications, electrical controls and specialists in mechanical works like escalators, elevators and air conditioning.

“The Palaszczuk Government has committed to a minimum 15 per cent training guarantee for projects like Cross River Rail so we can keep developing the State’s skills base to build a better Queensland.

“These opportunities will set some of these young people up for life as well as giving them the chance to work on a city-changing infrastructure project.”

Minister for Training and Skills Shannon Fentiman said this week’s State Budget delivered more than $770 million to Queensland’s Vocational Education and Training Investment Plan for the next year.

“It’s essential that we support and deliver an inclusive VET program so Queenslanders have pathways to safe, secure employment through apprenticeships and traineeships,” Ms Fentiman said.

“We are also throwing everything we’ve got behind rebuilding TAFE with a commitment of $85 million for three years to upgrade campuses across the state.

“We know that apprentices and trainees with the right skills and training are helping to power Queensland’s economy.”

Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said the Palaszczuk Government had made the decision that Queenslanders have wanted their government to make for decades – to preference Queensland companies for Queensland projects.

“As Queensland’s most significant project on our books, the Buy Queensland procurement policy means it will preference Queensland companies that demonstrate local, secure jobs and best practice industrial relations,” Mr de Brenni said.

“This infrastructure should leave a lasting legacy in south east Queensland – not only in transport terms, but in a skilled, fairly paid workforce of tomorrow.”

ENDS

For more information about Cross River Rail visit www.crossriverrail.qld.gov.au

Media Contact: Clare Manton 0432 446 268