The Andrews Labor Government’s project to remove every level crossing between Caulfield and Dandenong will help train the next generation of skilled workers.
Premier Daniel Andrews today announced that a new training and jobs partnership with Chisholm Institute – the New Employment Exchange and Training (NEXT) centre – would be established as part of the $1.6 billion project.
The project will create 2000 new jobs, with at least 200 being apprentices or graduate engineers.
The new NEXT centre will include a dedicated classroom and training space, a rail training centre, and opportunities for accelerated learning and on-the-job training on this massive project.
Importantly, it will give opportunities to re-skill people from industries in decline such as the as retrenched automotive workers, as well as students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, including Indigenous Victorians.
The program will also provide Year 10, 11 and 12 students from local schools and pre-apprentices with access to construction-based work projects, as well as supervised work experience opportunities.
The innovative and modern design will be constructed using pre-fabricated beams, pieced together over the busy rail line as it continues to run.
The Government today also announced that two different construction types will be used along the corridor to further minimise disruption on local communities.
Building it in this way means the rail line and local roads can stay open, saving millions of passenger trips and chaos on our local roads.
Last week, the Government announced the preferred tenderer to remove all nine level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong, as part of a multi-billion dollar upgrade of Melbourne’s busiest rail line.
The project is expected to begin construction later this year, with all nine level crossings removed and the five new stations operating in 2018.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re removing every single level crossing between Caulfield and Dandenong and ensuring that the next generation of workers gets the benefits of this work.”
“We’re creating 2,000 jobs, and our skills guarantee means that at least 200 of them will be apprentices and engineering graduates.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“Removing level crossings using a modern elevated design means the trains keep running and the roads keep flowing – saving passengers and drivers the chaos of major shut-downs on our busiest rail line.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“We’re making sure all Victorians no matter their background have access to quality training. Chisholm is a fantastic Institute and I’m sure this partnership will be a success.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
“We’re removing some of Victoria’s most dangerous and congested level crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong and guaranteeing the next generation of Victorians get the skills they need.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020