The Western Australian Government has welcomed a BHP initiative to train and employ 200 train drivers over the next three years.
The program aligns with the State Government’s WA Jobs Plan – which focuses on preferencing local jobs, reducing interstate FIFO, enhancing TAFE and training, and creating jobs in regional Western Australia.
Premier Mark McGowan commended the company for investing in the state.
“WA jobs have been my number one priority from day one, and we are continuing to focus on reducing interstate FIFO, enhancing local training, and creating jobs in regional WA,” McGowan said.
“We will continue to work closely with industry to develop opportunities to build Western Australia’s workforce – to create local jobs and continue to support the growth of our resources sector.”
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State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook said the training program, that has been and initiated by BHP, recognises the need for a reliable and sustainable local workforce.
“With a large number of women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people completing this training, I would like to congratulate BHP for its commitment to diversity – we know that diverse workplaces are the most productive workplaces,” Cook said.
The WA Government is working with the mining industry to reduce reliance on out-of-State workers.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the initiative will help the state reduce its reliance on fly-in-fly-out workers.
“We welcome any efforts by the mining industry to extend the benefits delivered by the resources sector to provide jobs and training opportunities for more Western Australians.”