Twelve Indigenous students from the Moree region are one step closer to having the skills needed to work on the Inland Rail Project after completing a specialised TAFE NSW earthmoving short course.

With Inland Rail Project research revealing construction of the new national freight network is going to generate more than 16,000 new jobs, Moree Aboriginal Engagement Strategy Business Development Manager, Cathy Duncan, said it was the ideal time for the local Indigenous community to get the skills required to work on the multi-billion dollar project.

“We created an effective partnership with TAFE NSW to not only upskill existing workers but also provide long-term unemployed jobseekers with some of the skills they will need to work on the Inland Rail Project,” she said.

“The drought is having a big impact in regional communities and there isn’t much work, so we need to do everything we can to train our Indigenous community with relevant skills that will help them become more employable when the Inland Rail Project comes to our region in the next 12-24 months.”

All 12 students successfully completed two units from the nationally-recognised Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant Operations) course, learning how to safely and successfully operate a skid steer loader and excavator.

Ms Duncan added, “All of the participants really enjoyed the hands-on training and using the machinery. TAFE NSW Trainer Cameron Fisk was approachable and very helpful and even provided extra support to the clients that had poor literacy and numeracy skills.

“This training demonstrates that TAFE NSW is committed to helping skill our people in regional communities like Moree and we look forward to this partnership skilling more of our community in the future.”

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager, Kate Baxter, said this was a successful example of how TAFE NSW continues to provide specialised training to suit the unique needs of local industry and communities.

For more information on the range of TAFE NSW civil construction courses, phone 131 601 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.