The Victorian Government has launched the North East Link Skills and Job Centre in Watsonia to connect locals to the 10,000 jobs available on the road project.

Jobseekers are invited to walk in and learn more about the employment opportunities in areas like engineering and construction trades, traffic management, conservation land management and administration.

The centre will also support employers and industry by connecting them with workers and provide opportunities to develop and expand.

“This is a one-stop-shop for skills and jobs, allowing local people to drop in and explore great opportunities on Victoria’s biggest infrastructure projects,” Victorian Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney says.

The North East Link project is the biggest road project in Victoria’s history and is supported by the $33 million Big Build Apprenticeships program which will provide 1500 opportunities to Victorian apprentices and trainees each year for four years.

At least 10% of the construction hours on these projects will be completed by apprentices and trainees. Additionally, 2.5% of the workforce will be Aboriginal.

Early works on North East Link have already provided job opportunities to 64 apprentices, trainees and cadets who have worked more than 70,000 hours.

The Skills and Jobs Centre has been launched in partnership with Apprenticeships Victoria, which coordinates and oversees all aspects of the delivery of apprenticeships.

“Early works are well and truly underway on the North East Link – as we build the missing link in our freeway network and provide job opportunities at a time our economy needs them most,” Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan says.