A new Earthworks Academy is set to launch at Quercus Park in Carrick to train the next generation of civil contractors, thanks to a $4.3 million state government investment.
The Academy, a partnership with the Civil Contractors Federation and Rural Youth, will provide young people with hands-on experience using the latest equipment in civil contracting, construction, forestry and agriculture.
Minister for Skills and Training Felix Ellis said the investment will enable young people to learn in a lower-risk training environment and support the state’s $27 billion construction pipeline.
“We know that the Agfest site is big and difficult to maintain and we’re hopeful that as part of this you might not even need to bring your gumboots from time to time to Agfest because the learners here on site will be upgrading laneways, they’ll be upgrading drainage and helping to support this site to remain a wonderful place for people to gather at important event times,” he said.
Andrew Winch, CEO of the Civil Contractors Federation, said the academy will provide opportunities for real-life training in a safe environment.
“We’ve been asking for this for a couple of years now so there’s nothing like this anywhere in Tasmania,” he said.
“The training that we have in Tasmania doesn’t go to this level so we can’t get that real-life work experience that this site will offer.”
The training will include earthworks, excavator, roller, grater and other machinery operations, safety training and more.
Rural Youth CEO Karen Robinson said the academy will help maintain the AGFEST site and prepare for events like AGFEST and Party in the Paddock.
“It’s just amazing for us. We struggle at times. It’s a big site for us to keep all our drains, roads and everything else up to size,” he said.
“So it will help us prepare not only for AGFEST but other events that we have on the site.”
