Useful Links
NSW Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program
The NSW Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program, administered by Training Services NSW, will boost the number of skilled construction workers and create fresh pathways to employment across the state. Skills, training and employment targets have been set following widespread consultation to increase diversity in the workplace. The targets will:
- allow existing workers to learn new skills on the job
- increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities available on NSW Government infrastructure projects
- increase the representation of young people, Aboriginal people and women in the construction industry
- ensure workers from surrounding areas are targeted for training and employment to help address existing skills shortages across NSW.
More information can be found on the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program website.
Construction Engineering Learning and Development Guide
The Australian Constructors Association and Engineers Australia are overhauling the training and development guidelines for construction engineers—setting new and tighter benchmarks for skills and competencies across the sector.
The Construction Engineering Learning and Development Guide will create a pathway to recognise construction engineers globally in their area of expertise.
The Construction Engineering Learning and Development Guide has been developed to align with the Engineers Australia Chartered Elements of Competence and complement existing organisational learning and development pathways.
Ultimately, this sets the foundations for a new Construction Area of Practice for global recognition of construction engineers.
View a recording of the launch event
Local Jobs First – Victoria
Local Jobs First relates to the participation by local industry in projects, developments, procurements and other initiatives undertaken or funded by the Victorian Government.
The Local Jobs First Policy is comprised of the Victorian Industry Participation Policy and the Major Projects Skills Guarantee.
The Victorian Industry Participation Policy is an industry development policy designed to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises are given full and fair opportunity to compete for Victorian government contracts.
Major Projects Skills Guarantee is a workforce development policy that is designed to ensure job opportunities for apprentices, trainees and cadets on Victorian Government construction projects. It requires that all construction projects valued at $20 million or more utilise Victorian registered apprentices, Victorian registered trainees or cadets for at least 10 per cent of the contract works’ total estimated labour hours.
More information can be found on the Local Jobs First website.
Social Procurement Framework – Victoria
Victoria’s Social Procurement Framework aims to ensure value-for-money considerations are not solely focused on price, but encompass opportunities to deliver social and sustainable outcomes that benefit the Victorian community.
The framework sets out a whole of government scalable and consistent approach to social procurement for all Government departments and agencies. For suppliers, whether they be major businesses or small to medium enterprises, the framework advises how to incorporate social value when competing for government procurement opportunities.
The framework includes the Building Equality Policy and the Aboriginal Employment Target.
The Building Equality Policy mandates female representation in government projects in at least three per cent of each trade role, seven per cent of each non-trade position and 35 per cent of management, supervisor and specialist labour roles.
In effect from 1 January 2022, the Building Equality Policy also mandates that four per cent of labour hours for apprentices and trainees will be required to be performed by women.
The Aboriginal Employment Target is a commitment by the Victorian Government to a one per cent Aboriginal business procurement target, including in relation to major projects.
More information can be found on the Social Procurement Framework Victoria website.