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ACCIONA, a world leader in sustainable infrastructure, has recently welcomed 14 new-to-industry trainees to the M80 Ring Road Completion Project, as part of a commitment to employ 45 female trainees over the life of the project.
ACCIONA, a world leader in sustainable infrastructure, has recently welcomed 14 new-to-industry trainees to the M80 Ring Road Completion Project, as part of a commitment to employ 45 female trainees over the life of the project.
This program not only addresses the industry-wide skills shortage but also creates a win-win-win for the trainees, ACCIONA, and the construction sector at large.
ACCIONA’s M80 Project Manager, Stephen Litterick, said Traffic Management has often been an entry point for women in construction, but often lacks clear career progression opportunities.
"Our traineeship aims to change that by exposing trainees to various areas of the business, helping them discover their strengths and interests, and setting them up for rewarding, long-term careers in construction," Stephen said.
“We’ve also opted for a direct employment model for the traineeships , which offers security and stability for trainees and ACCIONA.” He said.
The traineeship roles were highly sought after, with a rigorous selection process ensuring the best candidates were chosen for this life-changing opportunity.
For the trainees, the program offers more than just full-time employment at industry rates. It provides an invaluable opportunity to gain experience and build a career in an industry with strong growth prospects and increasing demand for skilled workers.
The initiative, part of the Major Project Skills Guarantee (MPSG) scheme, also aligns with the State Government's push to diversify the sector's workforce.
About the traineeship program
The comprehensive program began with a six-week induction program, including a 10-day civil taster with Holmesglen Tafe Chadstone where participants were exposed to both hand-held tools and heavy machinery, with a focus on a safety-first mindset.
During their training, the trainees will rotate through various disciplines including civils, traffic management, piling and haulage, with each rotation lasting approximately 4-6 weeks.
These rotations provide well-rounded exposure to different aspects of the construction industry.
The traineeship is officially classified as a 'Certificate III in Civil Construction Traineeship (Accelerated Traffic Management)'.
While it's technically a pilot program, ACCIONA is working closely with industry partners to develop this initiative as a long-term solution to combat shortages in traffic management and other areas of construction.
The first cohort includes women from diverse backgrounds, some with previous experience in traffic management or smaller construction firms, while others come from retail and manufacturing sectors. The program also includes Indigenous participants, reflecting ACCIONA's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Future intakes will focus on 'priority job seekers' – individuals who have been unemployed, underemployed, or at risk of unemployment, further broadening the program's positive impact on the community.
ACCIONA's commitment to this program demonstrates its leadership in addressing industry challenges and its dedication to creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for the construction sector.
For more information about ACCIONA and our diversity initiatives, please visit https://www.acciona.com.au/work-with-us/equity-diversity-and-inclusion/