People seeking a stepping stone into the civil construction industry are being urged to check out a program kicking off in Rockhampton on May 11.

Queensland’s Civil Contractors Federation is launching the Trade Ready Program to further job readiness and skills through selected construction short courses.

Participants who successfully complete the four-week training program will also be offered the opportunity to complete a three-week unpaid work placement with a civil construction employer to gain on-the-job experience.

Capricorn Enterprise regional economic development manager Neil Lethlean is encouraging anyone in the region with interest in a construction career, particularly those recently displaced from their jobs, to apply.

“With $3.6 billion dollars of major projects in the local pipeline, now is the perfect time for residents in the greater Rockhampton area to consider the skills you have always wanted to obtain, but weren’t sure of where to start,” he said.

“Fully funded with the support of CSQ, the short course provides individuals with an opportunity to be presented to employers as a job-ready candidate for vacancies on upcoming projects, giving anyone taking part a ‘leg-up’ in getting work.”

Learning segments of the program include work safety and risk control, the use of hand and power tools, installing trench support, operating elevating work platforms and more.

“Seeking employees who have taken the first step to becoming ‘trade ready’ is crucial to carrying out timelines and making sure the right people are in the right roles as the industry steam-rolls ahead into the future,” Mr Lethlean said.

“With our region entering the most exciting phase of significant investment that has ever been experienced to date, it is vital that we strive to meet the local demand for workers and tradespeople, ensuring successful outcomes for each major project.”

Several major regional infrastructure projects are already underway in the Capricorn region including the Rockhampton Northern Access upgrade, Shoalwater Bay Training Area remediation, and Rockhampton to Gracemere highway duplication. Emerging projects include the construction of Rookwood Weir plus the Clarke Creek Wind Farm.

For more information on the Trade Ready Program, or to apply, visit https://civiltrainqld.com/trade-ready/