Local Aboriginal school students have joined the construction team on the $1 billion Nepean Redevelopment Stage 1 to launch their trade careers under a successful training program.
The Diz Footprints program offers Western Sydney Year 10 Aboriginal students work experience across a range of construction trades at the Nepean Redevelopment, helping them secure Certificate 2 construction qualifications and post-school employment.
Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres said the students were selected for the second round of the program which provides a unique opportunity to work on one of the state’s biggest hospital infrastructure projects.
“The NSW Government’s $1 billion redevelopment at Nepean Hospital is not only delivering essential health infrastructure – it is significantly boosting the economy and creating jobs in Western Sydney,” Stuart Ayres said.
Today’s announcement follows a successful year for the first round Year 10 students in 2019, who are now undertaking a second year on site, alongside the new recruits.
The Diz Footprints team, which includes local Aboriginal education consultants and construction contractors, CPB, selected five students from St Clair, Cambridge Park, Glenmore Park and Kingswood high schools to be part of the program’s second round.
“This is a great initiative for our local Aboriginal high school students, who will receive first-hand experience from professionals working across a wide range of trades such as landscaping, painting, carpentry and general labouring,” Stuart Ayres said.
“This program is helping provide the next generation in the Penrith and Blue Mountains community with the best available employment opportunities.”
The NSW Government has committed $1 billion for a major expansion and upgrade of Nepean Hospital and community-based services which is being delivered in two stages.
Construction on Stage 1 is well underway and includes a new 14-storey hospital tower with an expanded emergency department, more than 200 overnight beds, 12 operating theatres, 18 birthing suites, a neonatal intensive care unit and a rooftop helipad.
