New Resources and Infrastructure Training Program in Rural Nsw

If you’re considering working in mining, agriculture, resources or civil infrastructure, there is a new training program being developed to qualify and prepare you for the workforce.

AgriFood Skills Australia and SkillsDMC are trialling a cross-industry, entry-level, on-the-job training program that prepares participants to enter three industries – mining, agriculture and local government (civil infrastructure) – within the north west region of NSW.

The Regional NSW Cross-Industry Training Model (CITM) will create a single training program for participants to develop the skills necessary to obtain local jobs in these industries, delivering common units selected from Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure (Work Preparation) and Certificate II in Rural Operations. These qualifications are aligned to the RII09 Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package and the RTE03 Rural Production Training Package.

This program presents enhanced job opportunities for disadvantaged job seekers, offering a means for program participants to gain higher qualifications while providing employment opportunities through a workplace pilot with 16 to 20 participants. It also provides opportunities to school students and may help curb the loss of younger people from rural areas while encouraging their pursuit of higher VET qualifications.

Employers in the mining, civil infrastructure and rural sectors will benefit from this program through strengthening of the regional skills base and the recruitment of work-ready participants who are interested in careers in these industries.

The north west region of NSW hosting this project, including the Gunnedah Basin and Narrabri, will also benefit through the development of trained participants, established cross-industry and training provider relationships, and retention of the local skills base. Broader community and industry involvement will also advance training infrastructure within the region.

AgriFood Skills Australia is the national industry skills council for the agriculture, food processing, meat, seafood and racing industries. Its role is to support and foster the development, implementation and continuous improvement of quality, nationally recognised training products and services to these industries.

SkillsDMC is a national industry skills council for the drilling, mining, quarrying and civil infrastructure sectors. Its role is to develop and implement an education and training structure which both meets the range of industry needs and satisfies educational and regulatory requirements across Australia.

Employers can participate in this innovative project by providing two-week placements for participants at their organisation. Interested parties should contact Melissa Wortman from AgriFood Skills Australia on 0421 830 056 or David Ellis from SkillsDMC on (02) 9299 3014.