Premier Daniel Andrews has promised the creation of more than 1200 jobs in Melbourne’s west in the next five years.
Apprentices, trainees and former auto workers are set to be in demand as the state government’s western roads upgrade begins early next year.
“We’re not wasting a moment getting on with these vital upgrades,” Mr Andrews said.
“Work starts next year to get the west moving again and create local jobs. This multibillion upgrade will not only fix some of Melbourne’s most congested roads, it will create more than 1200 jobs in Melbourne’s west.”
Mr Andrews was speaking during a visit last Tuesday to Victoria Polytechnic’s Sunshine campus, where more than 120 trainees, cadets and apprentices will be trained to work on the project for the next five years.
Mr Andrews was joined by Roads Minister Luke Donnellan and Industry and Employment Minister Ben Carroll.
“From former auto workers to young Victorians looking to get a start in the workforce, our major projects are creating opportunities for local people and local businesses,” Mr Carroll said.
The project, one of the biggest ever upgrades to Melbourne’s suburban road network, will cost $1.8 billion and will deliver a combination of road widening, duplications and intersection upgrades to fix eight congested roads in Melbourne’s west.
Cadets, trainees, apprentices and local firms will share in work building and maintaining the revamped road network.
Netflow consortium has won the contract for the project, which is scheduled to be completed by 2021.
