Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher has announced the opening of a new ‘one-stop shop’ for employment, training and education that will provide South Australian jobseekers will an unprecedented access to job vacancies on the $985 million Northern Connector project.
Commenting on the importance of the ‘NorthHub’ facility, Mr Fletcher said it set a new benchmark for local industry participation on public infrastructure projects in South Australia.
“This facility is an innovative way to ensure local communities are receiving the full range of benefits major infrastructure projects can provide, and that includes employment opportunities,” the Minister added.
Senator for South Australia David Fawcett said “NorthHub will provide support for around 480 jobs each year in a wide variety of roles such as civil and formwork construction workers, administrative professionals, safety professionals, project engineers, site supervisors, and trainees and apprentices.
“The service can be accessed both online and in person at the Northern Connector project site at Waterloo Corner, where jobseekers can speak directly to staff about the opportunities on offer,” Mr Fawcett added.
SA Premier Jay Weatherill noted that several Holden workers were among the 70 new South Australian employees already working on the project.
“NorthHub will be vital in ensuring that local people benefit most from this major transport infrastructure project, and we have made a commitment that more than half the workforce will be from the northern suburbs,” the Premier said.
“NorthHub will provide opportunities for locals to find work or train towards gaining employment on the project which is critical for an area experiencing higher unemployment than other parts of the state and which is facing the impending closure of the Holden factory.”
South Australian Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said positions were already being advertised and filled via the NorthHub website, which supports the on-site facility.
“Jobs are already currently listed and available and are expected to increase when major construction on the project gets underway shortly,” Mr Mullighan added.
“Interested jobseekers can register for expressions of interest online to receive alerts when jobs become available.”
The Northern Connector project – which is being jointly funded by the Australian Government ($788 million) and the South Australian Government ($197 million) – is a 15-kilometre expressway travelling from the North-South Motorway to the Max Fatchen Expressway.
