The Andrews Labor Government is leading the nation in skilled rolling stock manufacturing, supporting up to 10,000 Victorian jobs across manufacturing, maintenance and supply as part of its drive to grow and upskill workers across the transport sector.
It has also invested $90 billion in major transport infrastructure and invested more than $8 billion in delivering new trains, trams, buses and supporting infrastructure.
Skilled workers are critical to delivering these projects. That is why the Labor Government is releasing the Rail Skills Strategy 2022-26 which outlines action to build an adaptable, highly skilled and diverse workforce.
The Labor Government has partnered with unions, industry and the education sector to support workers across the transport sector to ensure there is a boost in the number of skilled workers to fill jobs today and into the future – to train the next generation of highly skilled workers in Victoria, while also retaining, upskilling and reskilling existing workers.
Workers at Newport Train Depot working to deliver the High-Capacity Metro Trains (HCMTs) that will be rolled out across Melbourne are part of a drive to boost rail skills that includes apprenticeships.
The HCMTs being built at the Newport facility will use 60 per cent local materials sourced from suppliers across Victoria, including from Bendigo, Morwell, and Hallam.
Works are underway to deliver advanced signaling on the HCMTs, which will allow these trains to run more frequently through to Sunbury once the Metro Tunnel opens.
There are now 28 HCMTs in passenger service operating on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines.
HCMTs are maintained at a specialist, purpose-built maintenance facility at Pakenham East supporting 100 ongoing maintenance jobs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll
“We’re continuing to invest in projects that support Victorian jobs – HCMTsare at the heart of how we’re improving our transport network and putting Victorians first.”
“Not only are we delivering world class HCMTs that are built right here in Melbourne – we’re ensuring we support our highly skilled rail workers to deliver them.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“Our massive infrastructure agenda isn’t just delivering major road and rail projects – it’s supporting thousands of jobs across the economy that are helping everyday Victorians.”
Quote attributable to Member for Williamstown Melissa Horne
“There’s a proud history of manufacturing across Melbourne’s west – the work undertaken here at our Newport train depot continues to support skilled local jobs and workers.”
Reviewed 12 October 2022