Employment organisations sought to find Games builders

EMPLOYMENT suppliers and Group Training Organisations (GTOs) have been invited to help find the staff to build the villages and venues in Geelong and elsewhere for the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The four regional hubs for the Games will offer employment opportunities for concreters, bricklayers, electricians, carpenters, steel workers, plasterers, roof plumbers, plumbers, painters and landscapers.

In the registration of interest process, Employment Suppliers and GTOs will need to be based in regional areas and have strong networks within their local communities, with the ability to reach into a broad range of organisations.

Builders will need to employ workers from a diverse range of backgrounds to meet Victorian government policy requirements that support a more gender inclusive construction industry, while providing opportunities for Victorians with disabilities, disadvantaged Victorians, and Victorian Aboriginal people.

GTOs will co-ordinate with training institutions to train and prepare future workers for the requirements of the Victoria 2026 projects and will be responsible for contracting the trainees and apprentices to the builders for these projects.

The GTO must be willing to commit to the employment of trainees and apprentices for the entire duration of their qualification, and it is anticipated many trainees will find permanent employment during their traineeship.

Once the list of employment suppliers has been established, people within the regions will then be able to register with Apprenticeships Victoria and the listed Employment Suppliers if they wish to be considered for roles on Victoria 2026 projects.

Builders who have been contracted to deliver the Victoria 2026 venues and villages will have the option to use this list to connect with future workers, but will also be able to draw upon their existing talent pools and networks at their own discretion.

“It’s great to see government working with our members to maximise opportunities for local people to join the construction industry and build skills and capacity in our regions.” Australian Employment Network chief executive officer Gary Workman said.

Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery Jacinta Allan said her government was making it easier to train and hire regional workers to “create long lasting economic benefits for regional communities and making sure locals are part of building Games infrastructure”.

The Victorian government estimates Victoria 2026 will contribute more than $3 billion to Victoria’s economy and create more than 7,500 jobs before, during and after the Games.