MEDIA RELEASE
14 October 2008
Premier applauds contractor’s commitment to training
The Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, today applauded Abigroup’s
commitment to industry training as he officially opened the leading
contractor’s Learning & Operations Facility in Truganina.
“I congratulate Abigroup on this investment in training,” said the Premier at
the opening of the facility. “What Abigroup is doing here with its training and
operations facility is a great example of leadership for the construction
industry right across Australia.”
Not only does the facility align with the Victorian government’s focus on
increasing skill-based training, it also puts Abigroup in an enviable position
and prepares it for the Australian government’s announcement today that it
will move forward the Infrastructure Australia priority list, which is part of the
Rudd government’s plan to stimulate the economy.
The Truganina Learning & Operations Facility is unique in that it offers
employees the ability to undertake formal training - in areas from civil
construction to mining - and combine it with practical experience all in the
one place.
The proactive initiative by Abigroup, which is a Registered Training
Organisation, is also a direct way of combating the crippling skills shortage
that is seriously affecting the Australian construction industry.
Abigroup’s Southern Region General Manager, Rod Watson, warned that the
whole industry would grind to a halt, “if we don’t do something to address
the skills shortage.”
The Abigroup Learning & Operations Facility aims to train upwards of 1000
people in its first year of operation. Currently 35-45 employees are
undertaking training each week, with plans to expand the Registered Training
Organisation courses around Australia.
The $4 million facility was built and will be managed by Abigroup
Contractors. The location of the facility is deliberate, maximising the growth
of Melbourne’s western industrial corridor and is in close proximity to existing
Abigroup projects. It is also well placed to take advantage of the outcomes of
the anticipated report by Sir Rod Eddington that looks at Melbourne’s
western suburbs as a way to ease congestion in the city. The state office of
the Abigroup Telecommunications division will also be located in the facility,
as will the plant yard.
By offering training, Abigroup is producing more skilled employees to
respond to industry needs and deliver Australia’s infrastructure.
Abigroup Contractors is one of Australia’s leading engineering and
building companies. Works are undertaken in areas including health,
residential, retail, educational, leisure and commercial building and
roads, bridges, dams, rail, water, telecommunications and mining
infrastructure. Abigroup is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bilfinger
Berger AG, one of the world’s top ten construction companies.
[Ends – 370 words]
Further information:
Corporate Communications
Abigroup Limited
Ph (02) 9499 0999
Fax (02) 9499 3822
Email: abimail@abigroup.com.au
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