After the State Government’s ‘Infrastructure Ready’ training program opened in October 2020, the first trainees are now out and about on various projects.
NEWest Alliance, tasked with building the Yanchep Rail Extension and Thornlie-Cockburn Link, have wasted no time in snapping up trainees, bringing their total to 27 on board and more to come in 2021.
The future is looking sound for trainee Elly Thompson on the Yanchep Rail Extension, who was previously a sound engineer working in Melbourne. Her industry was hard hit by COVID-19 and she returned to Perth looking for a fresh start.
“I looked into the future of civil construction in WA and saw there was a lot of jobs going on, so I applied for the course and I got in. It’s been fantastic,” she said.
On the Thornlie-Cockburn Link Elly Harrington, Che Hunt and Cass Walding are upskilling through their work on the project.
Elly has several years’ experience in the construction industry and recently took the next step, enrolling in a Certificate ll Rail Infrastructure traineeship.
Che, who works for an Alliance subcontractor, is now a second-year electrical apprentice after starting his work life in roofing.
Cass has settled into her role as an Administration Trainee as part of the Alliance’s Aboriginal Participation Program. Of Yamatji heritage on her father’s side of the family, Cass recently completed her Certificate IV in Business. She works with the Alliance’s Human Resources training section, and has her sights set on a managerial role.
Although Cass is early in her career, she sees herself as a role model for Aboriginal people, particularly women.
“I have a steady job, a good education and I’m living independently and financially supporting myself. I think that what I’ve achieved serves as solid example to other Aboriginal people and I would like to inspire and support others to do well,” Cass said.
The State Government’s ‘Infrastructure Ready’ training program is giving job seekers the opportunity to learn on-the-job on WA’s major projects.